Gannon and Rocchiccioli lead Western Australia's surge to Sheffield Shield hat-trick
Tasmania were bundled out in a session on the fourth day as the hosts cemented their standing as a domestic powerhouse
Tristan Lavalette24-Mar-2024Cameron Gannon and Corey Rocchiccioli tore through Tasmania late on day four as Western Australia clinched a hat-trick of Sheffield Shield titles with a crushing victory at the WACA.Needing an implausible 538 runs on a tricky surface, Tasmania lasted just 40.5 overs and were bowled out for 160 as they lost 5 for 18.Related
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Gannon, a fringe bowler for most of his long career, starred with a five-wicket haul, while Rocchiccioli finished with 3 for 55.Tasmania imploded against a withering new-ball spell from Gannon and Joel Paris left them at 26 for 3 after the wickets of Matthew Wade, Charlie Wakim and Caleb Jewell.Any chance of a miracle ended when Beau Webster, the Shield’s leading run-scorer, fell late in the day as Tasmania’s forlorn chase ended rather tamely. Needing an outright victory to end an 11-year drought, Tasmania played aggressively but they never really had a realistic shot against WA’s brilliant attack.WA cemented themselves as Australian domestic cricket’s powerhouse after an almost flawless performance. It was only the second three-peat over the past 20 years and WA’s first since the late 1980s. WA are the only team to have won three in a row concurrently in the Shield and Marsh Cup.WA completely dominated all facets of the match, while Tasmania appeared overmatched having missed their chance of hosting the final after a last round loss to South Australia.Resuming at 221 for 3, WA’s blueprint was to bat for the long haul in a bid to totally shut Tasmania out of the contest. Hilton Cartwright and Aaron Hardie appeared to be doing just that as they motored to a century partnership.Matthew Wade walks off after his last first-class innings•Getty Images
Tasmania appeared to be going through the motions until the second new ball, but Webster provided a much-needed tonic with a spectacular diving one-handed catch at leg-slip to dismiss Hardie for 47 off Jarrod Freeman.Webster was in the thick of the action and rode a rollercoaster of emotions. He dropped Cooper Connolly at slip and was left exasperated when the bail did not dislodge after bowling a cracker to Cartwright that hit the top of off stump. The WA players on the team’s balcony could not believe their eyes, with a few of them rushing into the room to watch a replay.Webster made amends by holding on to an edge from Connolly as he threw the ball high in the air in celebration. Tasmania bowled a much better length and produced the type of disciplined effort they lacked for much of WA’s first innings.But Cartwright, who made a half-century in the first innings, defied Tasmania and continued his knack for the big stage having made a match-winning half-century in last month’s Marsh Cup final. Cartwright was hoping to end a lean season with a century, but fell agonisingly short when Webster had the last laugh with a delivery that trapped him lbw on the stroke of lunch.Tasmania had hoped to be batting in the second session, but were left frustrated by WA’s more than capable lower order. Tasmania’s earlier spark eroded as they toiled under the sun as WA’s lead raced past 500.Charlie Stobo added to Western Australia’s inroads•Getty Images
But Tasmania were left spooked by the dismissals of Charlie Stobo, who was bowled by a delivery that crept low, and Paris that reared off the surface.Tasmania’s agony was finally over by tea, but they were soon reeling at the crease with Wade nicking off Gannon in the second over. The dismissal ended the red-ball career of Wade, who received a standing ovation from some of the WACA faithful.Gannon and Paris bowled menacingly with the new ball as Jewell and Wakim fell in successive overs. WA sniffed a victory before the close, but Silk and Doran steadied the ship with a 62-run partnership. They managed to blunt the spin of Rocchiccioli and scored relatively quickly with WA boasting an expectedly attacking field.But Silk and Doran succumbed as the sparse sprinkling of fans in the terraces – with many fans having earlier left for the AFL match at nearby Optus Stadium – suddenly were getting excited.They were at fever pitch when Webster and Freemon fell in the same over from the unwavering Gannon as the extra 30 minutes was taken.WA were not to be denied as Paris claimed a spectacular catch to seal a famous triumph.