Image Credit- AP
The prospect of Western Australia winning three
straight 50-over domestic championships has been dashed as all-rounder Aaron
Hardie of Australia is ruled out of the Marsh Cup final versus New South Wales
because of a calf injury.
During WA’s most recent Sheffield Shield encounter against Tasmania, Hardie
experienced calf tightness. He did not field during the whole of day three and
bowled for just four overs in the game’s second innings. Although his scans
revealed no significant injuries, he was nevertheless pulled out of Australia’s
Twenty20 International tour of New Zealand, even though he was scheduled to
arrive on Monday to take the place of the injured Marcus Stoinis.
Although Hardie has not been cleared to travel, WA was
hoping he could be able to participate in Sunday’s final at Cricket Central in
Sydney.
With Jason Behrendorff returning from Australia service after missing their
Marsh Cup victory over Tasmania, Western Australia does welcome four players
back into their 13-man roster. Joel Paris, who hasn’t participated in a Marsh
Cup match this season, has been added and might partner with Behrendorff in a
dual left-arm new ball combination. Paris has only participated in six Marsh
Cup matches over the past five seasons because Western Australia would rather
rest him for Sheffield Shield matches because they have contracts with Andrew
Tye and Behrendorff as white-ball specialists.
Mahli Beardman, the player of the match in the
Australia Under-19 World Cup final, has also been nominated by WA to the final
squad. Beardman hasn’t played since making his Marsh Cup debut against New
South Wales back in November. Cooper Connolly, an all-round spin bowler,
rejoins the team after missing the BBL because of a quad strain.
Playing in their fifth consecutive Marsh Cup final, WA hopes to become the
first team since NSW in 2001–2003 to win three titles in a row. In addition, WA
is vying for their fifth championship in seven years.
NSW has selected a stable team after winning their last four games, including
two victories over Washington.