PERTH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 31: Cameron Green and Cameron Bancroft of Western Australia fist bump during day four of the Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and South Australia at the WACA, on October 31, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
UPDATE: West Australia clings to a dramatic draw against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield at the WACA Ground, narrowly escaping defeat after a late-game surge from the visitors. The match concluded with WA finishing at 6-195, chasing a daunting target of 303 runs, as Cooper Connolly stood firm with an unbeaten 51 runs.
With just 40 minutes left on the final day, WA found themselves teetering at 6-174 after quick dismissals of Aaron Hardie and Joel Curtis. “We had every intention of trying to chase that down,” said WA coach Adam Voges. “It’s always tricky on a day-four wicket,” he added, expressing disappointment over a missed opportunity to secure a win.
The draw leaves West Australia winless in their last three Sheffield Shield matches and with one victory in their past ten games. Voges acknowledged the team’s struggle to maintain momentum: “There are moments where we need to dominate, and we weren’t able to, and that’s frustrating.”
South Australia began the day at 4-297, leading by 205 runs and looking to bat WA out of contention. After a solid start, WA quickly fell into trouble, losing captain Sam Whiteman for a duck and Hilton Cartwright shortly after. However, Cameron Bancroft emerged as a standout performer, scoring 57 runs and building on his first-innings century.
Cam Green, recovering from a side strain, added 41 runs before a controversial decision derailed his innings. He was given out caught behind after what appeared to be a clear miss, a pivotal moment in the match according to Voges: “That was probably a pivotal moment for us in particular with the chase.”
Despite the challenges, Connolly’s resilience ensured WA would not falter further. Connolly and Hardie had been making steady progress when Liam Scott’s double breakthrough raised tensions. However, Connolly’s steady approach secured the draw, allowing WA to remain in contention for the season.
Fans and players alike will be watching closely as West Australia looks to break their winless streak in upcoming fixtures. The emotional toll of the match reflects the high stakes involved, as players strive for redemption and success in the competitive Sheffield Shield arena.
