Sheffield Shield 2024/25, WA vs QLD 3rd Match Report, October 08 – 11, 2024

Western Australia 465 (Inglis 122, Whiteman 102, Connolly 79, Neser 5-68) and 263 on 6 Dec (Marsh 94, Wildermuth 3-38) played with Queensland 367 (Clayton 85, Labuschagne 77, McDermott 68, Gannon 5-57) and 120 for 1 (Khawaja 64*, Labuschagne 35*)

Set for 362 runs in 62 overs, Queensland did not move towards the target and the match ended when the captain agreed to call it off during the final session on the final day.

With Test player Cameron Green looking to be sidelined for a long time with a back injury, a number of players in the game have been under scrutiny. Test-seeker Matthew Renshaw made a double-fault after trailing Matthew Kelly on 15 for just six runs in the first innings.

His WA counterpart Cameron Bancroft, Australia’s other opener if Steven Smith moves down the order, took a turn for the worse after making a pair earlier in the match.

“He’s there [Bancroft] It’s too tight. He has been through a lot in his career. He’ll be fine,” WA captain Sam Whiteman said after the match.

Batting at No.4, Marsh top-scored WA’s second innings 263 on Dec 6 after rescuing his team from a top-order collapse. He also struck 13 in the first innings, but did not bowl in this game.

“Mitch is having a big summer. His work will be carefully managed by Cricket Australia. We hope we can see Mitch in charge of the ball in the next Shield match,” WA coach Adam Voges said after the third day’s play. .

Allrounder Aaron Hardie, who looks set to replace Green, has missed the game with a quad injury but is likely to return for the WA Weshield’s next game against Tasmania starting on October 20 at the WACA.

Quick Lance Morris picked up a minor injury during training and wants to be available for the One Day Cup match against Tasmania on October 25.

With WA resuming at 106 for 3, leading by 204, there was intrigue as to how they would handle the situation. Marsh stayed alert late on the third day, but was in a furious mood as he reached his half-century pushing for a boundary.

Fringe Test quick Michael Neser threatened to point the crack, but Marsh was unfazed as he put his foot down. His most powerful shot was a smashing short delivery from Tom Straker that first bounced onto the popular grass pitches.

Marsh tried to reach his century with a powerful blow, but mistimed it and made his disappointment clear as he threw his bat in the air.

Wicket-scorer Josh Inglis brought up his maiden century in an innings of 48 to claim the Man of the Match award. His confidence was evident and he played leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson, who had the last laugh but struggled to make much of an impact throughout the game.

The pitch improved significantly after some difficult early conditions when WA lost the wickets of Bancroft and Jayden Goodwin in the first two balls bowled by Neser, who was Queensland’s standout bowler with six wickets in the match.

“He’s a fantastic bowler and I’m very happy with the way he started the season,” Labuschagne said of Neser, who is likely to be in the Test fold.