Test hopefuls crumble in 72-year first

Western Australia have achieved an embarrassing feat never before seen in their 72-year Sheffield Shield history, their top three batsman all dismissed for ducks on Wednesday.

The visitors were dominating proceedings on day two, reducing Tasmania to 5/139 in Hobart, still needing 82 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Enter Beau Webster.

Tasmania’s No. 7 batsman plundered a career-best 187 against a tiring Western Australia bowling attack, crunching 27 boundaries and three sixes during his 187-ball masterclass.

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The Tigers entered the second innings with a narrow 19-run lead, early wickets the key to setting up a shock victory. And the hosts couldn’t have hoped for a better start.

Shaun Marsh made a pair against TasmaniaSource:Getty Images

Former Test batsman Cameron Bancroft and Shaun Marsh both returned to the dressing room without scoring, along with opener Jake Carder.

Within five overs, Western Australia has crumbled to 3/6, still trailing by 13 runs at Blundstone Arena.

Since they joined the Sheffield Shield in 1947, Western Australia have never lost their top three batsman without scoring.

First time first 3 @WACA_Cricket batsmen out for ducks. Closest in Alice Springs 3 years ago when 1 2 + 4 made 0 #SheffieldShield #TasvWA

Top 3 in the batting order all getting ducks in a #SheffieldShield innings
1933-34 – qld v vic
1953-54 – sa v qld
1976-77 – sa v qld
1979-80 – sa v qld
2000-01 – tas v vic
2006-07 – nsw v wa
2013-14 – vic v nsw (top 4)
2014-15 – sa v tas
2015-16 – sa v nsw
2019-20 – WA v TAS https://t.co/Y4nEyTHZjF

Marsh has endured a lean run with the bat since returning from the Big Bash — Wednesday’s innings was his third consecutive duck in the Sheffield Shield, including a pair against Tasmania.

However, the elder Marsh brother remains the second-highest run scorer of the tournament this season, with 663 runs at 51.00.

Western Australia are 6/161 at stumps on day three, leading by 142 runs.

HUGHES’ NINE-YEAR FIRST

New South Wales Blues batsman Daniel Hughes backed up Monday’s Sheffield Shield century with another triple-figure score, reaching 136 against South Australia at Bankstown Oval.

Hughes’ classy innings included 22 boundaries and one six — he was eventually dismissed by paceman Chadd Sayers for 136. He is the first Blues cricketer to score two centuries in a match since Phil Jaques in 2011.

Century in each innings of #SheffieldShield match for @CricketNSWBlues since WW2:

Bob Simpson 1965
Rick McCosker 1974
Rick McCosker 1981
Mark Taylor 1989
Mark Taylor 1990
Greg Mail 2004
Phil Jaques 2011
DANIEL HUGHES [email protected]

Daniel Hughes brought up his seventh Sheffield Shield century on WednesdaySource:Getty Images

The opening batsman’s match aggregate was 239 runs, attaining 58% of New South Wales’ runs in the second innings. Hughes now boasts seven first class centuries since making his Sheffield Shield debut in 2013.

Blues No. 3 Daniel Solway also passed fifty before skipper Peter Nevill declared with a 402-run lead.

Earlier, Trent Copeland snared his 20th first class five-wicket haul, claiming 5/63 from 25 overs. He also passed 300 Sheffield Shield wickets in the process, becoming the fifth Blues player to achieve the feat.

South Australia are 1/40 at stumps on day three, still trailing by 362 runs with Jake Weatherald on 19 not out.

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