Western Australia will resume its 2025-26 Sheffield Shield campaign against Tasmania at the WACA Ground tomorrow with nothing to lose, as the race for a finals berth recommences.
Shield's Back! WA Primed to Hit the Ground Running
While Victoria (41.17 points) is almost 15 points clear of its nearest rival and therefore the clear frontrunner to host the Shield final, every side from Queensland in second (26.38) to WA in sixth (15.11) remains a chance to battle the Vics for red ball supremacy.
Speaking to media today, Head Coach Adam Voges said his team was determined to hit the ground running against the Tigers.
“That’s our goal: to start really well,” Voges said.
“To have two home games to kickstart our campaign again throughout February will be really important, and that starts tomorrow.
“In both competitions, Shield and One-Day Cup, we’re all fighting for second, but it’s really tight for the rest of it.
“If one team gets on a roll over the next month or two, they give themselves every opportunity.”
WA showed flashes of its best in the first half of the season, highlighted by a thrilling one-wicket win over Queensland on home turf.
There were chances against Tasmania before the side fell agonisingly short in a Hobart nail-biter, and there was plenty to take from draws at home and away against reigning champions South Australia.
The next step, according to Voges, is to capitalise on strong positions.
“The positive is we’re in games and giving ourselves opportunities in games, and the ladder position suggests we haven’t taken those moments and opportunities so that’s the challenge for us,” Voges said.
“The reality is we haven’t got a lot to lose in the back half of the season, and hopefully that’s the mentality that allows our players the freedom and clarity to go out and play the way they want to play these next four games.”
WA has selected a 13-player extended squad to play Tasmania, headlined by Jhye Richardson.
The star quick – who last played Sheffield Shield cricket in November 2024 against South Australia at the Adelaide Oval – returned to red ball action during the NRMA Insurance Ashes Boxing Day Test.
Gritty right-hander Teague Wyllie is also in line to play his first Sheffield Shield match of the season if selected in the starting side.
WA Sheffield Shield squad vs Tasmania: Sam Whiteman (C), Cameron Bancroft, Hilton Cartwright, Brody Couch, Joel Curtis, Sam Fanning, Cameron Gannon, Jayden Goodwin, Aaron Hardie, Liam Haskett, Jhye Richardson, Corey Rocchiccioli, Teague Wyllie