Recent Match Report – Victoria vs West Aust Final 2022/23
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Western Australia 315 (Turner 128, Sutherland 5-75) and 1 for 93 beat Victoria 195 (Chandrasinghe 46*, Morris 3-53) and 210 (Sutherland 83, Handscomb 52, Kelly 4-41, Paris 3-55) by nine wickets
Western Australia cemented their status as domestic cricket’s undisputed powerhouse with a crushing nine-wicket victory over Victoria to emphatically complete a back-to-back Sheffield Shield triumph.
But WA were not to be denied as they completed a historic treble of domestic titles for the second straight season. They thrashed South Australia in the 50-over Marsh Cup final and Perth Scorchers overcame Brisbane Heat in an epic BBL decider.
Victoria started day four at 6 for 122 with their slim hopes resting on Sutherland and Mitchell Perry, who had both defied WA late on day three.
Sutherland was almost caught at long on in the first over but settled in after that in a gutsy performance having been moved down to No.8 due to a back injury.
The end was nigh but Sutherland received support from Todd Murphy, who offered resistance having had little impact with the ball in his return from a breakout Test tour of India.
As Victoria’s lead approached triple figures, Murphy’s defiance ended on 26 when he was caught at point off allrounder Aaron Hardie.
Sutherland, who claimed five wickets in WA’s first innings, holed out just shy of a deserved century but capped a strong allround season and looms as a player of interest for the national selectors.
After being sent in on a green-tinged surface, Victoria managed just 195 in their first innings with 21-year-old opener Ashley Chandrasinghe mustering the only substantial fight.
In a rearguard that polarised public opinion, Chandrasinghe carried his bat to finish unbeaten on 46 from 280 balls but Victoria failed to collect any bonus points.
Having only recently returned to WA’s Shield side after a near three-year exile, Turner counterpunched to notch his first Shield ton since November 2017.
Turner’s heroics dented Victoria’s hopes of avenging last season’s final where they fell short to WA in a drawn match decided by bonus points.
Victoria can take heart out of a spectacular turnaround after they were staring down the barrel mid-season before storming into the final with five straight wins.
An emerging Victoria, marked by an exciting pace attack, are on the cusp of a formidable run but will be left pondering how they can knock off all-conquering WA, who are firmly amid a golden era.
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