Western Australia extended their lead at the top of the Sheffield Shield ladder with a commanding win over Tasmania, securing victory by an innings and 45 runs at Blundstone Arena in Hobart. Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar and paceman Brody Couch were the stars, combining to dismantle Tasmania’s batting lineup and ensure WA’s undefeated streak this season.
WA declared their first innings at 460/9, with Hilton Cartwright scoring a superb 153, supported by key contributions from Jayden Goodwin (94), Ashton Agar (74), and Sam Fanning (68). Tasmania responded with 317, led by Mac Wright’s 83 and Caleb Jewell’s 61, but they still trailed by 143 runs after WA’s Joel Paris took 4 for 45 in the first innings.
In Tasmania’s second innings, Agar’s left-arm spin shone, taking 3 for 12 in 17.5 overs, building on calls from Australia’s chairman of selectors George Bailey for left-arm spinners to step up. Agar showcased his skill, applying pressure and drying up the runs, which allowed the WA pace attack to thrive. His crucial breakthroughs included dismissing nightwatchman Gabe Bell with a perfect delivery that spun away to clip the off stump and trapping captain Jordan Silk lbw.
Brody Couch added to Tasmania’s woes, making history by taking WA’s first-ever Sheffield Shield hat-trick. His three wickets came immediately after tea, dismissing Jake Doran lbw, Lawrence Neil-Smith by chopping onto his stumps, and clean bowling Sam Elliott. This collapse left Tasmania all out for 98, sealing WA’s emphatic win.
Paris was also outstanding in Tasmania’s second innings, taking 2 for 18 with some unplayable deliveries, complementing his 4 for 45 from the first innings. Despite WA losing key bowler Matthew Kelly to a hamstring injury, their depth and consistency proved too much for Tasmania.
With this victory, WA solidifies their dominance in the Sheffield Shield, demonstrating the balance of their squad and their bowlers’ capability to excel across all conditions.
