It was a case of so close, yet so far for the WA Men’s team in last season’s One-Day Cup competition.
One-Day Cup 2026-27 preview
The side overcame early defeats to finish the season with three consecutive victories and a 4-3 win-loss record.
Hopes of making the final rested on South Australia and Tasmania winning their respective fixtures on the last day of the regular season.
While WA took care of Victoria, other results went against them and were forced to settle for a fourth-place finish.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on a chance at a fourth ODC title in five seasons, there was plenty of silver linings to come from the campaign.
Joel Curtis, who started his campaign with a stunning century against Queensland, finished with 431 runs at 61.57 and received due recognition at the WA Cricket Awards night winning the One-Day Player of the Year.
The wicketkeeper batter was well supported by experienced duo Sam Whiteman and Cam Bancroft through the season, scoring 261 runs at 52.20 and 205 runs at 51.25 respectively.
Curtis looks set to have a key role to play with the bat again in season 2026-27, following strong form in pre-season practice matches at the WACA Ground.
Fellow top-order batter Sam Fanning will be out to build on a promising season last year, finishing his campaign with 185 runs and two half-centuries at 30.83.
Captain Ashton Turner’s composure through the middle order will have a big bearing on the side’s fortunes once more, following key contributions in winning causes last season.
Exciting youngster Will Malajczuk made his debut in the penultimate of last season’s campaign, showing his wears with bat and ball.
Just days away from his 19th birthday, Malajczuk looks primed to feature prominently in WA’s ODC side again in season 2026-27, following strong performances in recent practice matches.
While last season’s leading wicket taker Bryce Jackson has moved to New South Wales, WA enters the season with no shortage of high-quality pace options.
Joel Paris took 12 wickets in last year’s campaign, despite managing just four appearances due to injury.
After taking seven wickets in three ODC appearances last season and starring in the Scorchers’ KFC BBL|15 campaign, exciting quick Mahli Beardman appears set to feature prominently again in 2026-27 and stamp his credentials as one of the nation’s most exciting prospects.
It’s not just Beardman who’s set to excite this season, fellow young quicks Albert Esterhuysen and Jordan Quiggin will also have their sights set on locking down a regular spot in the side through the season.
Esterhuysen took three wickets on debut against South Australia at Karen Rolton Oval last season among his seven wickets from five outings.
Quiggin, who’s one of four rookies in the squad, will look to press his claims for a debut in the early part of the season.
The young trio will be complemented by the likes of experienced quicks Kieran Elliott, Brody Couch, Jhye Richardson, Lance Morris and Liam Haskett.
WA’s ODC campaign gets underway on Friday 18 September.
WA squad for the One-Day Cup matches against South Australia and Tasmania: Ashton Turner ©, Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Mahli Beardman, Hilton Cartwright, Brody Couch, Joel Curtis, Kieran Elliott, Albert Esterhuysen, Sam Fanning, Jayden Goodwin, Liam Haskett, Will Malajczuk, Jordan Quiggin
One-Day Cup – Game 1
WA v SA
Friday 18 September. First ball 2:00PM, WST.
WACA Ground, Perth
LIVE: Kayo, Cricket.com.au
One-Day Cup – Game 2
WA v Tasmania
Sunday 20 September. First ball 2:00PM, WST.
WACA Ground, Perth
LIVE: Kayo, Cricket.com.au