An exciting quick and an Australian allrounder headline three big inclusions to WA’s squad for its first away Sheffield Shield match of the season against Tasmania at Bellerive Oval starting on Wednesday 17 October.
Young Quick And Allrounder In Shield Mix
Young paceman Albert Esterhuysen is in the mix to make his First Class debut in the match, having been included in the 13-man squad alongside Aaron Hardie and Sam Fanning.
Esterhuysen has impressed in his two One-Day Cup (ODC) appearances this season, taking five wickets at 20, including the vital wicket of Sam Konstas against New South Wales last week.
Hardie is also in line to make his return to the Sheffield Shield side, almost 12 months to the day since his last appearance in the four-day format.
The 26-year-old took two wickets and made 37 on return to the WA side in last week’s ODC match against NSW.
Fanning has featured in all three of WA’s ODC matches this season but didn’t play the opening Sheffield Shield game last week.
The top-order batter made three half-centuries in six Sheffield Shield outings last season, including a well compiled 95 in his side’s win over Queensland.
Cameron Green (Australian ODI squad) and Joel Paris (hamstring) will miss the clash, with a timeline for Paris’ return to be determined in due course.
Batters Sam Whiteman, Cameron Bancroft, Jayden Goodwin, Hilton Cartwright and Joel Curtis will be looking for productive weeks in Tasmania after WA were bowled out for under 200 in both innings against New South Wales.
Spin bowlers Ashton Agar and Corey Rocchiccioli both played important roles in the opening game of the season and again feature in the squad.
Fresh from taking five wickets in the second innings against New South Wales, Matt Kelly also features in the squad alongside fellow quicks Cameron Gannon and Liam Haskett
The Sheffield Shield clash gets underway at 7:30am AWST and can be watched on Kayo and Cricket.com.au.
The two sides will also meet in a ODC clash Monday 20 October at the same venue.
WA Squad for the Sheffield Shield Clash with Tasmania: Sam Whiteman ©, Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Hilton Cartwright, Joel Curtis, Albert Esterhuysen, Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Cameron Gannon, Jayden Goodwin, Liam Haskett, Matt Kelly, Corey Rocchiccioli