Powerhouse Western Australia have stamped themselves as Australian cricket’s premier domestic team of the 2020s after securing their third straight Sheffield Shield with a 377-run dismantling of Tasmania in a lopsided final.
After setting the Tigers a near-impossible target of 537 at tea on day four at the WACA on Sunday, veteran seamer Cameron Gannon (5-23) led a lethal bowling performance for WA, who took 10 wickets in an extended third session to rout the visitors for just 160.
WA officially extended their dynasty – sealing an unprecedented “triple double” with their hat-trick of titles complemented by their three straight Marsh Cup one-day trophies – when Tasmanian tail-ender Iain Carlisle fell to a diving screamer by Joel Paris at gully off a Gannon bouncer.
Captain Jordan Silk offered the only real resistance with a counterpunching 46 for the Tigers, whose unlikely pursuit of the mammoth target started horribly when they nosedived to 26-3 through the losses of Matthew Wade (3), Charlie Wakim (15) and Caleb Jewell (8).
Former Test wicketkeeper Wade, who has announced his retirement from first-class cricket, walked off to generous applause after enduring a forgettable swansong. The 36-year-old made one in the first-innings and was dismissed cheaply again in the second, charging Gannon but only succeeding in nicking to WA gloveman Josh Inglis.
Silk also edged one to Inglis before Hilton Cartwright took a pair of catches to dismiss Jake Doran (31) and Shield player of the season Beau Webster (19). Gannon trapped Jarrod Freeman plumb in front for a second-ball duck before Corey Rocchiccioli spun through the tail, following his first-innings 4-48 with 3-55.
Taking match figures of 8-61, Gannon also played a role with the bat with his lusty 42 at No 10 lifting WA to 376. Cartwright (94) top-scored in the second innings for the hosts, who continued to grind Tasmania into the ground.
Skipper Sam Whiteman was named player of the match for his enterprising first-innings 104, which set up WA’s 347 after being sent in by the Tigers, who fell well behind the eight-ball when they replied with 186.