On day two of the Sheffield Shield match at The Gabba, Queensland trails Western Australia by 126 runs, scoring 39 for 1 in their second innings after being bowled out for 147 in the first. Western Australia scored 312, thanks in part to Sam Fanning’s 95 and Sam Whiteman’s 67. Fanning fell short of his maiden century, dismissed while attempting a drive against Michael Neser, who took 4 wickets for 34 runs. WA allrounder Hilton Cartwright contributed 48 not out. In his first over, nightwatchman Corey Rocchiccioli claimed his eighth wicket, dismissing Matt Renshaw for 10.
Queensland 147 for 39 for 1 trail Western Australia 312 (Fanning 95, Whiteman 67, Neser 4-34) by 126 runs
Fanning scored 95 as WA reached 312 all out on Wednesday at The Gabba, responding to Queensland’s first innings total of 147. At the end of the day, Queensland was at 39 for 1 in their second innings, still trailing by 126 runs.
The left-handed batter, originally from New Zealand, hit five fours and two sixes during his 229-ball innings and contributed to two significant partnerships. He shared a 108-run opening stand with Sam Whiteman, who scored 67 before being dismissed late on Tuesday. He also partnered with Jayden Goodwin for a 103-run stand for the third wicket.
Goodwin scored 40 before getting out while attempting a sweep against legspinner Mitch Swepson. His dismissal initiated a collapse of 5 wickets for just 27 runs as Queensland legend Neser tore through the middle order.
Neser concluded with impressive figures of 4 for 34 from 21 overs. He began the second day by having nightwatchman Corey Rocchiccioli caught at mid-off for 2 and later dismissed Fanning, Ashton Turner, and Keaton Critchell, while fellow fast bowler Xavier Bartlett got Joel Curtis out as WA lost five wickets within a 10-over period.
WA allrounder Hilton Cartwright then steadied the innings with a crucial 48 not out, helping the visitors secure a 165-run lead in their innings.
WA also achieved a significant breakthrough when Rocchiccioli took his eighth wicket of the match. The offspinner, who achieved a career-best 7 for 52 in the first innings, dismissed Matt Renshaw for 10 in his first over of the innings.