On day three of the Sheffield Shield match, Western Australia (WA) scored 209 for 2, gaining a 144-run lead over New South Wales (NSW), who had 261 in their first innings. Hilton Cartwright scored an unbeaten 108, while Cameron Bancroft, in his 100th Shield match, contributed 85 not out. Their unbroken partnership of 181 stabilized WA after a challenging start on the WACA’s tricky pitch. WA’s Lance Morris claimed 5 wickets for 26 runs in NSW’s first innings but may be limited to 30 overs due to management plans. The match’s outcome is crucial for both teams’ finals hopes.
Western Australia 196 and 209 for 2 (Cartwright 108*, Bancroft 85*) lead New South Wales 261 (Patterson 86, Morris 5-26) by 144 runs
Run-scoring was challenging throughout the initial seven sessions on a difficult WACA pitch, but the seasoned WA batsmen stood firm, turning the match in their favor. Cartwright registered an unbeaten 108, while Bancroft, celebrating his 100th Shield appearance, finished on 85 from 260 balls as WA concluded the day at 209 for 2 in their second innings with a 144-run lead.
Prior to the round, only 0.24 points differentiated second-placed NSW and WA, with a win for either side significantly enhancing their chances of reaching the final. With such high stakes, WA may look to declare at some point on the final day, although the pitch has become more favorable as the match progresses.
“It [the partnership] gives us options,” WA coach Adam Voges remarked. “There are still some decent divots out there. It’s definitely a new-ball wicket. It’s been a proper arm-wrestle for three days.”
“We have been very clear with Cricket Australia about Lance’s plans,” Voges commented. “The demands of the game dictate what Lance must do, but we’re also very mindful of his overall management plan.”
After finishing the first innings 65 runs behind, Bancroft and captain Sam Whiteman set out to neutralize the threatening new-ball duo of Jack Edwards and Jackson Bird with their signature solid defense.
They came close to hitting lunch without loss until Whiteman was brilliantly caught low in the gully. It was a challenging period for No. 3 Jayden Goodwin, who struggled against a fired-up Liam Hatcher, who took a second wicket.
Still trailing by 37 runs, WA’s prospects rested firmly on the shoulders of veterans Bancroft and Cartwright. They were initially restricted after lunch, managing just one run in five overs as WA inched towards the lead.
However, Cartwright loosened the pressure with a few boundaries off seamer Ryan Hadley, regaining his rhythm as the ball made a pleasing sound off his bat. Cartwright has had an impressive season with 694 runs at 53.38, though he occasionally struggles to capitalize on promising starts.
He narrowly avoided another close call after edging a good length ball from Edwards at 42, but wicketkeeper Josh Philippe could not hold onto the catch, diving in front of Bird at first slip.
Philippe, who transferred from WA prior to the season, and his teammates were deeply disappointed at this critical moment just before tea.
Cartwright achieved his half-century off 93 balls right after the break, while Bancroft, who had been contained during the second session, began to rediscover his form, his highlight being a six down the ground off spinner Chris Green.
Cartwright continued his fine play with his cover drives, skillfully piercing the congested off-side field with precision.
Bancroft experienced a brief scare at 61 when he edged Green, the ball slipping through the hands of Sam Konstas at short-leg, while Cartwright’s focus waned slightly as he approached his century. Nevertheless, he regained his composure and reached his century just before stumps, marking a significant turnaround for WA.
NSW commenced the day with a 62-run lead, hoping to extend it after Edwards and Green had frustrated WA’s bowlers late the previous evening.
There was uncertainty if Morris would bowl again in the innings due to his restrictions; he had already bowled 18 overs. He did take to the field early on day three, but it was Cameron Gannon who had Green edging to second slip, where Bancroft had an unusual fumble before finally catching the ball.
Morris then secured his third five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, with Sam Fanning taking an outstanding catch at short square leg to dismiss Edwards, who narrowly missed out on a half-century. This was a moment of redemption for Fanning after he had dropped Kurtis Patterson, NSW’s top scorer with 86, twice on the second day.
The unassuming Morris, participating in a rare consecutive Shield match, appeared hesitant to raise his ball in triumph but rightly earned resounding applause from the crowd following a performance characterized by relentless pace and precision.
All eyes will be on the number of overs he can bowl on the final day.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth