Latest Match Report – West Aust vs South Aust thirteenth Match 2023/24

Western Australia 204 and 201 for 8 (Goodwin 47*, Doggett 4-61, Manenti 3-19) beat South Australia 192 and 212 (Manenti 66, Nielsen 51, Morris 3-44, Stobo 3-51) by two wickets

Jayden Goodwin and Corey Rocchiccioli produced a stirring ninth-wicket partnership late on day three as Western Australia overcame South Australia by two wickets in a nerve-jangling Sheffield Protect match in Perth.

Chasing 201 for victory on a grassy WACA floor, WA had been on the cusp of a second straight defeat at 168 for 8. However Goodwin and Rocchiccioli defied the Redbacks’ bid of a boilover with a relaxed, unbroken 33-run stand.

Rocchiccioli hit the working runs to spark jubilation within the terraces as WA bounced again from a horror journey to Sydney the place they suffered large defeats to NSW within the Protect and the Marsh Cup.

“We mentioned at tea that we had been going to be constructive and get it achieved right this moment,” mentioned 21-year-old Goodwin, who completed unbeaten on 47 off 72 balls on his return to the facet after changing the injured Ashton Turner.

It was heartbreak for South Australia, who of their final match had overwhelmed Queensland by three runs in a equally tense end.

After a boring draw between WA and Tasmania final month, the WACA floor was significantly spicy and simply three half-centuries had been struck within the low-scoring contest.

The Redbacks wanted to strike with the brand new ball, which had accounted for clumps of wickets earlier within the match. However skipper Sam Whiteman and Cameron Bancroft appeared unruffled as they chipped away on the goal with a 39-run opening stand.

The match turned when Whiteman fell to a brief supply from Brendan Doggett, who shortly after banged a brutal supply that thundered into Teague Wyllie‘s elbow.

After receiving medical consideration, Wyllie retired harm and a pumped-up Doggett was on a roll with the important thing wicket of Bancroft for 27. A visibly irritated Bancroft trudged off having endured a uncommon sub-par match, having fallen for 20 to a rash reduce shot within the first innings.

Doggett continued his spectacular spell when he had Hilton Cartwright caught behind to go away WA shakily positioned at 58 for 3 at tea. Goodwin and Aaron Hardie determined to counter-attack after the break as they compiled 37 runs in fast time.

A determined South Australia captain Jake Lehmann reverted to offspinner Ben Manenti for the primary time within the innings, and the gamble labored with Manenti getting by Hardie’s defences earlier than Josh Philippe fell to Doggett in a rash stroke to additional cowl.

When Manenti had Joel Paris chopping on to his stumps, the Redbacks may sense a well-known victory with WA slumping to 105 for six and nonetheless 96 quick with Wyllie’s standing unsure.

However Charlie Stobo, who bats within the prime 4 for his native grade membership, hit a breezy 26 to swing the momentum WA’s manner earlier than falling to Nathan McAndrew. In one other twist, Wyllie returned to the crease having undergone a few rigorous web periods in between.

He was peppered by quick deliveries however confirmed no in poor health results, and inched WA nearer. Manenti once more supplied a pivotal breakthrough after Wyllie was trapped lbw failing to attach on a sweep shot.

WA’s hopes would have sunk at that stage, however Goodwin and Rocchiccioli, who confirmed maturity in his 25 off 42 balls, got here collectively because the shadows creeped on to the bottom.

The gripping finale appeared unlikely when South Australia struggled to construct a lead. However Harry Nielsen led a lower-order fight-back with a half-century and he was properly supported by Manenti, who top-scored with 66 to elevate the Redbacks to a lead of 200.

Manenti took the lengthy deal with to offspinning counterpart Rocchiccioli and smashed him for 2 sixes which landed in rubble amid the bottom’s redevelopment.

His cavalier 88-ball knock was ended by Lance Morris, who completed with 3 for 44 from 14.4 overs. Steadily constructing his bowling masses this season after a again damage, Morris was venomous on a tough floor and hit speeds of round 145 kph.

Paris shrugged off a groin niggle, which pressured him off the bottom late on day two. The injury-plagued Paris dismissed any doable considerations by dismissing McAndrew after coming into the assault an hour into the day’s play.

The topsy-turvy contest continued till Rocchiccioli’s successful boundary powered WA over the road and into prime spot on the ladder.

Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based mostly in Perth