Following a remarkable five-wicket victory over Victoria, Western Australia has climbed to 14 points, securing the second position on the Sheffield Shield table.
Chasing a target of 362, the Warriors achieved a score of 5-363 with 11.1 overs remaining, marking the fifth-highest successful run chase in Shield history at the MCG.
A partnership of 166 for the second wicket was forged between Liam Davis (108) and Wes Robinson (83), while Adam Voges (76) collaborated with Travis Birt for 119 runs for the fifth wicket.
Unbeaten at 60, Birt and Mitch Marsh, who was nursing a groin strain, remained not out on 21 when the thrilling winning runs were scored.
Resuming on Monday at 1-22, Western Australia cautiously approached lunch without losing any wickets, reaching 100 with only 78 runs scored off 39 overs during the session.
Finally, Jon Holland made a breakthrough for Victoria when Robinson was caught behind at 2-174 in the 64th over after pushing forward.
Western Australia faced a setback, losing two wickets in the span of three deliveries, bringing the score to 199.
Captain Marcus North (eight) fell to Scott Boland’s delivery caught behind, followed by Davis being caught at slip off spinner Glenn Maxwell’s bowling in the next over.
Davis struck 11 boundaries and batted for nearly five hours, achieving his second century of the Shield season. The 27-year-old has amassed 451 runs at an average of 56.38 over four matches.
With the score at 4-229 after 85 overs, Voges and Birt guided the Warriors to tea, while Victoria opted for the second new ball in the 98th over.
Just two overs later, Scott Boland allowed 11 runs as the Warriors increased their scoring pace.
In the subsequent overs, James Pattinson (10 runs) and Jayde Herrick (11 runs) proved to be costly, leaving the Warriors needing just 50 more runs from 16 overs.
Pattinson managed to dismiss Voges caught behind at 5-318, but Birt quickly notched his second half-century of the match, leading the Warriors steadily towards a significant victory.
Currently, Queensland leads the Shield table with 18 points, while Victoria ranks third with 10 points.
On Wednesday, Victoria will host Western Australia for a Ryobi Cup match at the MCG.
by Buford Balony
