West Australia 204 (Cartwright 40, McAndrew 3-39, Buckingham 3-46) trail South Australia 192 & 119 for 6 (Nielsen 42*) by 107 runs.
In a frantic Sheffield Shield match, Western Australia’s explosive pace attack once more beat South Australia on a green WACA surface.
WA took the lead in the last session as the Redbacks collapsed to 119 for 6 at stumps on day two. Having been bowled out for 204, they were ahead by just 12 runs at the end of the day.
Left-arm rapid Joel Paris got rid of first-over man Jake Carder for a duck, maintaining his impressive run. Seamer Aaron Hardie shared the new ball after taking 3 for 11 in South Australia’s opening innings, and with the Redbacks behind by seven runs, he trapped Daniel Drew leg before wicket.
Henry Hunt, the opener, had a dismal match, which ended when he got caught behind by Charlie Stobo, who was moving quickly. After breaking the record for the fastest List A century, Jake Fraser-McGurk attempted to discard Stobo carelessly by hitting him straight to cover.
With his characteristic ferocity in the ball, Lance Morris claimed the wickets of Nathan McSweeney and captain Jake Lehmann.
Feeling discomfort in his left groin, Paris hobbled out before he could finish his eighth over. He might not be risked on day three considering his extensive history of injuries.
With wicketkeeper Harry Nielsen playing well in the latter part of the day, the Redbacks have a chance to record a challenging score on a surface that is conducive to bowling.
In stark contrast to the thrilling tie between Western Australia and Tasmania in the final Shield match played at the WACA, a result is nearly guaranteed on day three.
South Australia was keen for early wickets in an attempt to get back into the game following a dismal first day. After batting first, the Redbacks were hustled on a spicy deck, which was a replay of the same match from the previous year.
Their thoughts would have been clouded by the triple century that Cameron Bancroft and Sam Whiteman shared on their way to a significant win for Western Australia.
However, the Redbacks are showing that they are a more determined squad this year, helped by their potent offense, which forced them back into the game. Nathan McAndrew, a diligent seamer, made an early breakthrough when he had Whiteman caught by Ben Manenti at second slip.
For Manenti, who dropped Bancroft late on the first day, it was a relief. His spirits were further raised when Bancroft was dismissed for twenty after he hammered a short, wide ball from Jordan Buckingham straight to point.
For the disciplined Bancroft, who has once again been the best batsman in the Shield as he prepares to return to Test cricket, it was an unusually hasty dismissal.
Teague Wyllie was bowled off the inside edge by an inswinger from Buckingham, who extended his impressive start to the season, ruining WA’s chances of batting just once in the contest.
The national selectors have highlighted 23-year-old Buckingham as a pace prospect, which he recently demonstrated by playing for Australia A. He made excellent use of the circumstances and created a frightening swing to bowl with Brendan Doggett, who bowled steadily at a pace of about 140 kph.
As WA was losing ground, Hardie made the decision to counterattack. He and Hilton Cartwright took advantage of Buckingham’s shorter deliveries to revive the innings.
However, Manenti bowled Hardie on the very first ball of lunch, and like his offspinning colleague Corey Rocchiccioli the day before, he produced turn from the surface.
Following the half, the tide shifted in favor of the increasingly assured Redbacks, who smelled a lead when Jayden Goodwin was run out following a terrible mix-up with Josh Philippe. Cartwright then fell to Buckingham.
For 21-year-old Goodwin, the son of former Zimbabwe Test batsman Murray Goodwin, who gained a spot in WA’s potent batting order after veteran Ashton Turner was ruled out due to injury, it was a cruel disappointment.
After Rocchiccioli and Stobo, who bat in the top four for his local grade team in Perth, essentially flung the bat in a carefree 58-run partnership, WA appeared to be headed for a loss at 146 for 8.
WA regained the momentum, and their bowlers didn’t let it go.
