Headline: Couch's Hat-Trick and Agar’s Spin Lead Western Australia to Dominant Victory Over Tasmania
A historic hat-trick from WA pacer Brody Couch marked the win, as he became the first WA bowler to achieve the feat in Sheffield Shield history.
Defending Sheffield Shield champions Western Australia clinched an innings victory over Tasmania, securing a top position on the table. They declared their innings at 460 for 9, with standout contributions from Hilton Cartwright (153), Jayden Goodwin (94), Ashton Agar (74), and Sam Fanning (68). Tasmania, in response, managed only 317 in their first innings and a mere 98 in the second, handing Western Australia victory by an innings and 45 runs.
A historic hat-trick from WA pacer Brody Couch marked the win, as he became the first WA bowler to achieve the feat in Sheffield Shield history. Couch's breakthrough came immediately after tea, removing Jake Doran lbw, Lawrence Neil-Smith bowled, and Sam Elliott clean bowled in quick succession. These three wickets effectively ended any hope of a Tasmania fightback, who were already struggling at 89 for 6 at the start of the final session.
Ashton Agar’s performance was also pivotal in the win. Following recent calls from Australian selectors, including George Bailey, for left-arm spinners to step up, Agar delivered a spell of 3 for 12 across 17.5 overs. His controlled line and variations put immense pressure on Tasmania, complementing the pace attack effectively. Agar’s performance reflects Australia’s rising interest in left-arm spin, particularly with an eye on the upcoming tour to Sri Lanka, where such bowlers have proven effective.
WA’s Joel Paris also shone, showcasing his expertise in left-arm pace bowling. Paris took 4 for 45 in Tasmania's first innings and followed up with 2 for 18 in the second. His delivery to dismiss Charlie Wakim with a swinging in-swinger set the tone for WA's dominance on the final day.
Despite losing key bowler Matthew Kelly to a hamstring injury in the first innings, WA’s bowling unit executed a comprehensive game plan, underscoring their depth and ability to perform under pressure. This win solidifies WA’s lead in the Sheffield Shield, setting them up strongly for the remainder of the season.
