Ashton Turner and Joel Paris put WA on the cusp of back-to-back titles

Victoria195 & 6 for 122 (Handscomb 52, Sutherland 40*, Paris 3-32, Kelly 2-17) lead Western Australia 315 (Turner 128, Sutherland 5-75) by 2 runs

WA’s first innings of 315 was dominated by Turner’s career-best 128, his first Shield century in over 5 years. He rescued WA out of hassle after they slumped to 4 for 53 in his second match since coming back from a close to three-year Shield exile.

“We feel like we’ve got ourselves into a really nice position,” Turner stated after play. “It’s our responsibility to play well tomorrow and try and finish the game.”

Victoria must win the match outright to assert the title having misplaced out on the bonus factors after the primary 100 overs of every innings.

“I think anything over 100 (run lead) at least gives us something to bowl to. But we would need everything to go our way,” Victoria coach Chris Rogers stated.

With Victoria trailing by 120 runs, all eyes have been on 21-year-old Ashley Chandrasinghe after his outstanding stonewall of their first innings the place he made 46 off 280 balls to hold his bat.

He began shortly compared with a single off his fourth ball earlier than edging by way of the slips for a boundary to considerably velocity to seven off 14 deliveries.

But former Test opener Marcus Harris regarded out of types and performed an uncharacteristically rash shot to hit a uncommon free Paris supply straight to level. It capped a disappointing match for Harris, who made simply 19 within the first innings having struck three tons in 4 earlier finals. He hoped to complete the season sturdy after lacking out on Australia’s Test tour of India forward of the mid-year Ashes.

Left-arm fast Paris was rewarded amid an outstanding spell by lastly breaching the stout defence of Chandrasinghe, who had a uncommon lapse to be bowled after shouldering arms. He completed with 54 runs off 304 balls total in his first Shield last.

Paris thought he had a 3rd wicket when he hit Campbell Kellaway on the pads however was left pissed off when his assured shout was turned down.

But he lacked help with Kelly dismissing Kellaway and in-form Matthew Short to depart Victoria reeling at 4 for 70. Handscomb on 49 survived a assured attraction from Paris, who was once more aggrieved with a good lbw name.

But Paris lastly had a choice go his approach when he trapped Sam Harper for a duck earlier than Handscomb holed out to deep level off speedster Lance Morris for 52.

WA have gained a stranglehold over the competition after beginning day three at 5 for 175, trailing by 20 runs.

Turner had began his innings briskly with cavalier batting however struggled on resumption, caught on his in a single day rating of 49 in gloomy circumstances. Turner lastly scored after 40 minutes to register his first Shield half-century since December 2018.

Seamers Sutherland, who claimed 4 wickets on day two, and Scott Boland generated bounce and carry as they tried to fireplace up Victoria whose momentum had been derailed by rain on day two.

The tireless Boland dismissed wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe, brilliantly caught by Sutherland at midwicket with WA nonetheless 17 runs behind. But Turner discovered prepared help from Paris, who produced a few rearguard knocks throughout final 12 months’s last, as WA powered into the lead.

Turner rediscovered his rhythm as sunshine descended on the bottom and the floor seemed to be flattening. He had little problem towards Victoria’s assault which struggled to probe outdoors of Boland and Sutherland.

Test offspinner Todd Murphy, chosen forward of veteran left-armer Jon Holland, had little affect in his debut look on the WACA. Turner handled Murphy with disdain, making an attempt a reverse sweep first up after which simply earlier than lunch nudged a single to succeed in his century amid rapturous applause.

With Murphy ineffective, Handscomb turned to Short’s helpful offspin and he promptly dismissed Paris for 31 to finish the 105-run partnership.

Turner shortly after succumbed to a pumped-up Sutherland snaring a deserved fifth wicket, however there was little to have fun for Victoria after that.