WA remain on Shield throne with win over Victoria

Western Australia have defeated Victoria in the Sheffield Shield final, clinching back-to-back titles with a nine-wicket victory at the WACA Ground.

Ashton Turner of Perth Scorchers.
Ashton Turner of Perth Scorchers. Picture: AAP Image

Western Australia have defended their Sheffield Shield crown in clinical fashion, defeating Victoria by nine wickets on the back of Ashton Turner's pivotal century.

Set 91 to win on day four of the final at the WACA Ground, the hosts reached their target in 24.4 overs after losing Sam Whiteman for a third-ball duck.

Teague Wyllie (43no) and Cameron Bancroft (39no) shepherded WA to an unprecedented 'six-peat' of consecutive Shield, one-day cup and Big Bash League titles with a day-and-a-half's play remaining.

The pair wasted little time pursuing their target after lunch, Wyllie having survived being dropped on four by Peter Handscomb at second slip off the bowling of Scott Boland.

But it was man-of-the-match Turner who played the defining knock, scoring a magnificent 128 to guide WA to a first-innings total of 315.

Playing in just his second game back in the Shield following a two-and-a-half year exodus, Turner proved he can be a matchwinner across all formats after also starring in Perth Scorchers' Big Bash League final win last month.

WA restricted Victoria to totals of 195 and 210 in the first and second innings respectively.

Matt Kelly (2-50, 4-41) led an outstanding WA pace battery which bettered Victoria's attack across the duration of the match.

Joel Paris claimed five wickets for the match and a valuable first-innings 31 in partnership with Turner, while firebrand Lance Morris produced figures of 3-53 and 1-69 in his first red-ball game in almost four months.

"Last year was amazing and I think this year we've just gone to another level," left-arm paceman Paris said.

"Winning Shield titles is so hard ... you've got to be able to have a squad focus which is a huge part of our group.

"We've had 20-plus players represent WA this year in Shield cricket and that's a huge reason why we've been able to be here this week."

The visitors lost four wickets for 10 runs to be 6-74 in the second dig before Will Sutherland dug in for a valiant 83 off 84 balls.

Struggling with a back injury after sending down 28 overs in WA's first innings for figures of 5-75, Sutherland smacked eight fours and a six in a late resistance aided by contributions from Mitch Perry (20) and Todd Murphy (26).

He had little option but to go on the attack with Victoria needing to win outright to claim the title after being outpaced on bonus points.

The allrounder had been promoted to the captaincy during Handscomb's absence on Test duties and his lion-hearted performance underscored why he is seen as one of the nation's best young prospects.

Aaron Hardie (2-29) broke through before lunch on Sunday to have Sutherland caught at long off and Murphy at point.

Handscomb (52) was the only other batter to reach double figures in Victoria's second dig.

Victoria coach Chris Rogers said he was immensely proud of his developing squad with six players aged under the age 25 featuring in the final.

"We're on a bit of a journey ... we certainly didn't talk about playing in the Sheffield Shield final this year," he said.

"To win those last five (games) on the bounce with a predominantly younger team, I think that's quite exceptional and I'm really proud of the way that they've gone about it."

The visitors' first innings was notable for opener Ash Chandrasinghe's epic unbeaten 46 off 280 balls and almost seven hours at the crease.

Wyllie delivered a highlight in the field with a superb diving catch at midwicket to dislodge Campbell Kellaway and precipitate Victoria's second-innings collapse.