Although Victoria will be without numerous big guns, Western Australian coach Lachie Stevens insists his team can’t afford to take them lightly in the crunch Sheffield Shield clash at the WACA Ground, starting on Thursday.
With the likes of Matthew Wade, Clint McKay, David Hussey and James Pattinson on international duties, and star all-rounder Andrew McDonald absent due to family reasons, the Bushrangers will lack some of their usual bite in a match they need to win to stay in the finals race.
All-rounder Glenn Maxwell will return from a knee injury to replace McDonald in the only change to the squad that beat South Australia a fortnight ago.
WA are also missing some of their big names, with skipper Marcus North (finger) and all-rounder Mitch Marsh (back) injured, and Mike Hussey on one-day duties for Australia.
The table-topping Warriors (32 points) are in the box seat to host the Shield final.
But the Warriors could still topple out of finals contention if Queensland (30), Tasmania (28) and Victoria (24) finish the season strongly.
Stevens, who took over the reins at WA last November when Mickey Arthur was appointed coach of Australia, said any side containing the likes of Cameron White, Peter Siddle and Chris Rogers remained a formidable opponent.
“I’m not sure who’s underestimating them. It won’t be our dressing room,” Stevens said on Wednesday.
“It’s a team with five international players in it and a team that’s been playing well since the end of the Big Bash break.
“They’re still right in contention themselves so it’s a big game against a good side.
“Four teams can still host the final … it’s a fascinating scenario.
“If we lose this game and then lose the next game, then it’s over.
“If we win this game and lose the next game, it could be over as well.
“So we need to prepare well to win two cricket matches.”
Stand-in WA skipper Adam Voges identified Siddle as WA’s biggest threat, but a damp and green WACA wicket could also have batsmen from both sides jumping.
Warriors players were unhappy with the wicket in last week’s low-scoring one-day loss to NSW, and the deck for the coming shield clash might evoke similar emotions.
Stevens said it was too early to judge how the deck would play, and would wait until the end of the match before making a comment.
Victoria: Cameron White (capt), Scott Boland, Ryan Carters, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Jayde Herrick, Jon Holland, Glenn Maxwell, Rob Quiney, Chris Rogers, Will Sheridan, Peter Siddle (12th man to be named).
WA: Adam Voges (capt), Tim Armstrong, Michael Beer, Travis Birt, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Liam Davis, Michael Hogan, Shaun Marsh, Nathan Rimmington, Wesley Robinson, Luke Ronchi, Craig Simmons. (12th man to be named).
