September 24, 2024

McAndrew’s five-wicket haul propels South Australia to a remarkable victory over Western Australia.

Western Australia (WA) suffered a shocking collapse in their One-Day Cup match against South Australia, losing by just two runs. Chasing a target of 167, WA looked poised for victory at 133 for 3 but crumbled dramatically, losing 7 wickets for just 31 runs. Nathan McAndrew played a pivotal role in South Australia’s win, delivering an exceptional bowling performance with career-best figures of 5 for 40.

In the match, South Australia managed to post a total of 166 runs, with notable contributions from Drew, who scored 49, and Scott, who added 46 runs. On the other side, Bryce Jackson showcased his skills for WA, taking 6 wickets for 31 runs, which is now the best-ever 50-over bowling performance for the team.

As the game progressed, WA’s batting lineup faltered under pressure. Despite solid innings from Turner, who scored 53, and Whiteman, who contributed 48 runs, the team could not maintain their momentum. They were ultimately all out for 164 in the 38th over, just short of their target.

This defeat leaves Western Australia winless after two matches in the tournament, marking their worst start to a season since 2015. It also signifies the first time they have experienced back-to-back 50-over defeats in nine years, raising concerns about their performance as three-time defending champions.

Bryce Jackson Shines Despite Western Australia’s Disappointing Collapse

The defeat was particularly frustrating for Western Australia, given the outstanding performance by fast bowler Bryce Jackson, who achieved remarkable figures of 6 for 31, the best in the team’s history for this competition. Jackson has been recognized as a promising talent in Western Australia but faced a series of significant back injuries that delayed his debut until he was 24 years old last summer.

In his first match against Tasmania in February, Jackson took 3 wickets for 67 runs. He seized the opportunity on Tuesday, stepping in for Jhye Richardson, who was rested. Jackson made an immediate impact by dismissing Henry Hunt with a beautifully executed delivery that swung away in his first over. He followed that by claiming the wickets of Mackenzie Harvey and Daniel Drew in his next over.

After South Australia’s Liam Scott (46) and Daniel Drew (49) provided stability, Jackson returned to take out both batsmen, showcasing his skill. He finished his impressive performance by outpacing Nathan McAndrew with a well-placed delivery on the hook shot.

Despite a shaky start in their chase, Western Australia seemed to have the match under control at one point. Ashton Turner showcased his batting prowess, hitting a six off Henry Thornton and scoring 16 runs in another over, making a bonus-point win appear likely. However, the team’s collapse ultimately cost them the match, overshadowing Jackson’s remarkable achievements.

Western Australia Crumbles Under Pressure as South Australia Secures Historic Win

The match took a dramatic turn when Sam Whiteman was caught by Thomas Kelly at deep square leg after pulling a delivery from Wes Agar while on 48 runs. This dismissal marked the beginning of Western Australia’s collapse, as Ashton Agar and Baxter Holt fell in quick succession to Nathan McAndrew, causing the team to lose all momentum.

With the pressure mounting, McAndrew struck again, having Matthew Kelly caught behind and then clean bowling AJ Tye for a duck in his next over. At this point, Western Australia still needed 10 runs to secure victory, but the situation looked increasingly dire.

Ben Manenti dealt a critical blow by dismissing Ashton Turner for 53, leaving Lance Morris and Bryce Jackson with just six runs to chase for the final wicket. The tension escalated as Jackson, in an attempt to drive Manenti, was ultimately stumped, denying him what could have been a memorable day and sealing South Australia’s victory. This win marked South Australia’s first triumph over Western Australia since 2017, further highlighting the significance of the match.

Sri Lanka has selected uncapped off-spinner Nishan Peiris for the second Test against New Zealand.

Vishwa Fernando, who did not participate in the first Test, has been placed in rehabilitation due to a hamstring injury. In his absence, uncapped off-spinner Nishan Peiris has been added to Sri Lanka’s squad for the second and final Test against New Zealand following Fernando’s injury.

“Vishwa Fernando had developed a tightness in his right hamstring while practicing,” SLC said In a statement on Tuesday, it was announced that fast bowler Vishwa Fernando will undergo rehabilitation at the board’s high-performance center due to his hamstring injury. Fernando did not participate in the first Test against New Zealand, which Sri Lanka won by 63 runs. Given that seamers had a limited role in that match, it seems unlikely he would have been selected for Thursday’s second Test.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old uncapped off-spinner Nishan Peiris has a potential opportunity to make his debut. Although he has been included in the Test squad twice before—once in 2018 and again in March of this year—he has yet to play a match. However, after skipper Dhananjaya de Silva criticized Ramesh Mendis’ performance following the first Test, Peiris may have a chance to secure a spot in the playing XI.

Ramesh Mendis, known for his ability to generate dip and turn, took six wickets—three in each innings—during the first Test, including the crucial wicket of Daryl Mitchell in the second innings. However, he struggled with control, often allowing New Zealand’s batters to capitalize on his inconsistency. Although Mendis improved his performance in the second innings, his economy rate remained the highest among Sri Lanka’s spinners.

In contrast, Nishan Peiris has been impressive in first-class cricket, claiming 172 wickets in 41 matches with an average of 24.37. He recently played for Sri Lanka A in South Africa, where he took three wickets in the first unofficial Test, showcasing his potential as a valuable addition to the team.