Western Australia were looking for a coach, looking for a captain and looking for clues as they were bowled out for 181 in Wednesday’s one-day cup clash with Victoria at the MCG.
Stand-in captain Adam Voges chose to bat first in overcast conditions on a wicket that appeared to be favourable but proved a handful for the Warriors and was perhaps a bit two-paced, with only allrounder Mitchell Marsh (51) getting past 30.
Victoria’s bald-headed, tattooed pace warrior Jayde Herrick claimed a career-best 5-51 from 12.3 overs, leading the attack in a fine display after one-day international representative Clint McKay limped off during his seventh over with a right-hamstring injury.
The Warriors struggled against some tight bowling, losing 3-8 in a middle-order collapse to reach 4-70.
Liam Davis was caught behind off Andrew McDonald for 27 at 2-62 before John Hastings (3-37) dismissed Sam Whiteman (18) and Travis Birt (four) in consecutive overs.
Marsh and Voges (18) added 55 for the fifth wicket but Herrick struck in three consecutive overs, removing Voges, debutant Hilton Cartwright (four) and Marsh.
Marsh hit five fours and a six from 76 deliveries, reaching his half-century with a square-drive to the boundary and losing his wicket next ball, caught behind.
Hastings picked up his third wicket in the following over as Nathan Coulter-Nile holed out to long-off at 8-151.
Mitchell Johnson (15) and tailender Nathan Rimmington (14) showed some fight for the Warriors late in the innings.
Lachlan Stevens is stepping down after Wednesday’s game as Warriors’ coach, with former Test opener Justin Langer favourite to replace him. Stevens has spoken of long-term issues within the team, while Marcus North quit last week as captain.
North’s decision to step down as captain of the state team and the Perth Big Bash League team follows the Scorchers’ boozy night out to celebrate Mitchell Marsh’s 21st birthday during the Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa in October.
North said he had stepped down for form reasons. The WACA launched an inquiry into the birthday-party incident and announced former Test batsman Shaun Marsh – who had attended his brother Mitchell’s party – was not selected for form reasons for last week’s Sheffield Shield loss to Victoria.
North skipped Wednesday’s one-day clash because of a family illness.
