Western Australia wrapped up its 2025-26 One-Day Cup campaign with a commanding eight-wicket win over Victoria at the WACA Ground, falling agonisingly short of a spot in the final.
Silver Linings Aplenty In Tight One-Day Cup Season
Having missed the decider for the first time since season 2018-19 last year, the side entered 2025-26 looking for a swift return to the decider.
There was plenty of reason for optimism of a return to the showpiece 50-over game through the early part of the season.
A close loss at the hands of Queensland at Allan Border Field was quickly followed by a commanding win over defending champions South Australia at Karen Rolton Oval.
Back-to-back losses at the hands of New South Wales and Tasmania left the side needing a slice of luck to reach the final.
Two wins against Victoria and one against top-of-the-table Tasmania to finish the regular season gave the side a pulse, but they ultimately fell just short of a top two finish.
Despite missing the final, the 2025-26 campaign still provided plenty of highlights.
WA TAME TIGERS
There is little doubt WA’s win over Tasmania was the best of the campaign. With several senior players out with injury or international duty, WA unleashed a young team on the unbeaten Tigers, headlined by 18-year-old debutant Will Malajczuk. Stunning centuries from Tim Ward and Beau Webster propelled the visitors to an imposing score of 318. The home side were aided by even contributions in the run chase to record a memorable one-wicket win, with Teague Wyllie (42no from 45) standing tall during a tense finish.
CURTIS SETS THE TONE
After a breakout 2024-25 season which saw him notch a maiden first-class century, wicketkeeper-batter Joel Curtis reached three figures for the first time in a List A match in the opening game of the 2025-26 season against Queensland. The dynamic left-hander belted 116 off just 108 deliveries at Allan Border Field to give his side a sizeable total to bowl at. Curtis was also instrumental in the side’s winning streak at the end of the season, scoring three consecutive half-centuries. He finished as the competition’s third-highest scorer at the end of the regular season with 431 runs at 61.57 and the highest strike rate (111.36) of any player inside the top 10.
JACKSON'S COMING OF AGE
If 2024-2025 was a breakthrough season for right-arm paceman Bryce Jackson, then 2025-2026 was one of consolidation. The Albany product finished the season with 15 wickets at 22.13 apiece, equal second in the competition. As well as being a prolific wicket taker, Jackson’s discipline regularly shone through, bowling a competition-high four maidens. Four-wicket hauls in the final two games of the season against Tasmania and Victoria capped off another stellar campaign for Jackson, who now has the remarkable career tally of 34 wickets at 20.79 in just 14 List A games.
YOUNG TALENT TIME
The future looks bright for Western Australia if this season’s debutants are a guide on what’s to come. Albert Esterhuysen and Will Malajczuk became the 202nd and 203rd players to represent Western Australia at List A level and both players played important roles throughout the season. Esterhuysen wasted little time making his mark on the competition, taking three wickets on debut against South Australia and becoming a regular fixture in the line up through the season. Malajczuk forced his way into the side for the final two matches of the season and contributed with both bat and ball.
While WA’s One-Day Cup campaign has come to an end, the side still has two Sheffield Shield matches left before the curtain falls on season 2025-2026. Their next assignment is a clash with Queensland at Allan Border Field from March 5-8, with the first ball scheduled for 8:00am WST and can be seen on Kayo or cricket.com.au.