Western Australia’s quest for the domestic triple crown is alive and kicking after the Warriors shot to top spot on the Sheffield Shield table with an eight-wicket win over South Australia.
Chasing 122 for victory, WA cruised to the victory target in 27 overs, with former Redback Michael Klinger finishing unbeaten on 51 off just 58 balls.
The win saw WA leapfrog Victoria into top spot on the Shield table with four rounds remaining.
South Australia slumped to last following Queensland’s demolition of Victoria.
It’s already been a golden year for WA cricket, with the Warriors winning the one-day cup, before the Perth Scorchers secured the Big Bash League crown.
WA haven’t won a Shield title since 1998/99, but skipper Adam Voges hopes they will break that 16-year drought this summer.
“It’s still the ultimate in my eyes,” Voges said.
“That’s most of the reason why I’m still playing for WA – to win the Sheffield Shield.
“We had a taste by getting into the Shield final last year. But we’ve got a lot of work to do before we can get to another one.”
Klinger was named man of the match after making a spectacular 190 in WA’s first innings total of 9-467.
The 34-year-old heaped more pain on his former teammates in the second innings, smashing Redbacks skipper Travis Head for 18 runs during one brutal over.
But it wasn’t all good news for WA, with left-arm paceman Ryan Duffield set to miss the rest of the summer after fracturing his left thumb.
Duffield suffered the injury while batting in the first innings, but he bravely returned to bowl 14 overs in the Redbacks’ second dig.
The loss of Duffield will be offset by the likely return of star all-rounder Nathan Coulter-Nile (hamstring) for next week’s re-match with the Redbacks at Glenelg Oval, starting Monday.
Head said the mood in the Redbacks’ camp was still good despite their run of poor results.
“We’re playing positive cricket,” said Head, who has taken over as captain from the axed Johan Botha.
“Our bowlers keep coming again, which is outstanding.
“We just need to keep working hard over the next four games, and keep earning the respect and play some good cricket.”
