Sheffield Shield 2026-27 season preview

Under new Head Coach Beau Casson and new Captain Aaron Hardie, WA has ambitions to win its first title since 2023-24 and build upon two recent campaigns that were promising and frustrating in equal measure.

While season 2025-26 resulted in just one win for WA, the side often found itself in winnable positions in several matches throughout the campaign.

Between meeting stubborn resistance from opposition and some unfortunate weather, WA couldn’t capitalise when the opportunities presented.

Despite the disappointment of finishing at the foot of the table, WA was still well serviced by the performances of Laurie Sawle Medallist Cameron Gannon, spin bowler Corey Rocchiccioli and opening batter Cameron Bancroft.

While Gannon has returned home to Queensland, Rocchiccioli and Bancroft remain central to WA’s quest to push up the ladder in season 2026-27.

Bancroft, who finished last season with 674 runs at 33.7, is set to provide vital experience at the top of the order, as well as former skipper Sam Whiteman.

WA will be hoping fellow top order batter Sam Fanning picks up where his 2025-26 season left off.

Having finished last season with 358 runs at 35.8, Fanning showed plenty of composure and grit when presented an opportunity.

Fellow left-handed batter Jayden Goodwin will also be out to solidify his spot in the top order, having managed five appearances last season.

International duty will once again have a large bearing on how often Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly and Josh Inglis feature in WA’s team.

The trio are set to miss the first month of the season due to Australia’s Test tour of South Africa.

As well as missing Gannon, fellow quick Matt Kelly also announced his retirement over the winter period.

Despite the high-quality pair missing from this year’s squad, WA still has significant pace-bowling depth.

After only featuring in three matches last season, Jhye Richardson will have a large part to play in WA’s fortunes, as will Lance Morris, who missed the entirety of 2025-26.

Injuries kept the ever-reliable Joel Paris to just three outings last season but was a handful for opposition batters when he was on the park.

The 33-year-old’s experience will again be vital for WA.

Fellow quicks Liam Haskett, Brody Couch and Albert Esterhuysen all featured last season and have enjoyed pre-seasons that suggested they are well placed to do so again.

WA has also added Kieran Elliott to its fast-bowling stocks, with the tall right-arm quick wasting no time settling into his new surroundings.

Elliott featured in WA’s opening two One-Day Cup games and will be looking to bed down a spot in the red ball format.

Rocchiccioli provides great variety to WA’s attack and enters the season off the back of strong showings for Australia A in recent four-day encounters against India A on the subcontinent.

Having taken more wickets than any other spinner last season, Rocchiccioli will again be out to solidify his standing as the competition’s pre-eminent spin bowler.

WA squad for the Sheffield Shield match against Queensland: Aaron Hardie ©, Cameron Bancroft, Hilton Cartwright, Brody Couch, Joel Curtis, Kieran Elliott, Albert Esterhuysen, Sam Fanning, Jayden Goodwin, Liam Haskett, Joel Paris, Jhye Richardson, Corey Rocchiccioli

Sheffield Shield – Game 1
WA v QLD
Thursday 8 October – Sunday 11 October. First ball 10:30AM, WST.
WACA Ground, Perth
LIVE: Kayo Cricket, Cricket.com.au, SportFM 91.3