PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 07: Sam Whiteman and Cameron Bancroft of Western Australia fist-bump after hitting a four during day three of the Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Tasmania at WACA, on February 07, 2026, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images)
UPDATE: In a thrilling Sheffield Shield match, Western Australia’s openers, Cameron Bancroft and Sam Whiteman, have ignited hopes of an unlikely victory, finishing day three at 4-197 in pursuit of a daunting 345 runs. The team needs just 148 runs to clinch the win on the final day, with Aaron Hardie (32*) and Teague Wyllie (10*) poised to resume play.
This remarkable partnership between Bancroft (74) and Whiteman (57) marked the best opening stand for WA this season, totaling 116 runs for the first wicket. Their solid performance comes as a crucial moment for WA, who are looking to avoid a second consecutive wooden spoon after a historic three-peat of titles.
Bancroft’s aggressive batting style contrasted with Whiteman’s cautious approach, as the duo navigated the innings with an average run rate of less than three per over. Bancroft reached his half-century off 107 balls, his fourth of the tournament, before being dismissed by Gabe Bell. Whiteman fell shortly after, sparking a mini-collapse as WA lost three wickets for just 21 runs.
“We always treasure the time we get to bat together,” Bancroft stated after stumps. “I definitely have confidence we can chase it down… the wicket still looks pretty good.” His optimism reflects the team’s determination as they face a critical moment in the match.
Earlier, Tasmania set a challenging target after their final pair, Jake Doran and Billy Stanlake, defied WA’s bowlers with a resilient 60-run stand for the 10th wicket. Doran’s impressive score of 74 runs helped Tasmania to a lead of 290 runs, putting added pressure on WA’s batting order.
As the match enters its final day, all eyes will be on Bancroft and Hardie to see if they can guide WA to victory. “It’s pretty 50-50 at the moment,” Bancroft assessed. “There’s still a lot of work to do, but if we can start well tomorrow, I think it’s poised for an exciting finish.”
Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if WA can turn the tide and secure a crucial win against Tasmania, who currently sit second-last on the Sheffield Shield table. This match is shaping up to be a nail-biter, with a potential game-changing outcome hanging in the balance.
Stay tuned for live updates as this gripping contest unfolds.
