Image Credit- CA
Sam Whiteman, the
captain of Western Australia, was probably aware of the intense questioning he
would face when he appeared for the media conference on Wednesday before the
Sheffield Shield final.
The shocking news that WA starter Cameron Bancroft will not be able to play in
the final against Tasmania due to a concussion sustained in a bike accident
surfaced late on Tuesday. For WA, who are aiming for their first hat-trick of
championships since the late 1980s, it was just another setback in a difficult season.
Even the venerable Western Australia squad of the 1990s, which had numerous
players who went on to become Test greats, was unable to accomplish it. In the
last 20 years, only Victoria from 2015–17 has won three straight.
It’s evidently
uncommon and extremely challenging to accomplish, as WA can speak to during a
season marred by injuries. With just five Shield matches between them,
frontline quicks Jhye Richardson, Lance Morris, and Matt Kelly won’t be
available for the championship game.
Ashton Turner, who gave his red-ball career a boost with a century in the
championship game of the previous season, has not been available since
undergoing knee surgery in December.
Due to his extensive international schedule across all forms, Mitchell Marsh
did not play any domestic cricket this season, while Cameron Green only
participated in two games.
In contrast to the
Perth Scorchers’ disappointing BBL season, WA has frequently appeared worn out
and below their best. However, they overcame these setbacks and concluded the
season with a mixed group of players, shockingly winning a home final against Victoria
at the Junction Oval last week.
“It’s been a challenge to get to this year’s final. Last year was pretty
much in a straight line, but this year it’s been do or die the last three
weeks,” Whiteman said on Wednesday.
But with the Tigers
hoping to snap an 11-year drought, Tasmanians should be very interested in the
game. Their lucky charms the last time they hoisted the trophy were George
Bailey and Ricky Ponting, but their standout batsman was Jordan Silk, a
20-year-old who scorched 108 off 358 balls to help Tasmania secure the draw at
home needed to win their third championship.
on addition, Tasmania may be able to capitalise on the sports fever that is
brewing on the island state due to Matthew Wade’s red-ball retirement. Their
basketball team, the JackJumpers, is in the NBL championship game, and earlier
this week, Tasmania’s first AFL franchise was introduced.