Western Australia coach Beau Casson hailed his side’s resilience after they overcame the absence of several key players to secure a stirring Sheffield Shield win over South Australia.
Throughout an injury-impacted start to the season, WA have had their captain Aaron Hardie (shoulder), fast bowler Joel Paris and opener Sam Fanning (both shoulder) go down during games, while speedster Lance Morris is yet to feature after suffering an untimely side strain last month.
But they have gone unbeaten across their first three Sheffield Shield games to make an early move to the top of the ladder, a position they solidified by securing a 106-run win over back-to-back reigning champions South Australia at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Casson told The West Australian his side’s early-season performances had proven they had the depth to compete across all fronts.
“We’ve had some setbacks, but that provides opportunities,” Casson said.
“It was great to see multiple contributions through the list, not just relying one or two players. (Saturday) was a really good example of that, where the wickets were shared and we applied a lot of pressure as a group.
“It’s not just the XI who play the game — I’m very proud of what the group’s building back at home. The ones who haven’t been selected or the ones that are in the rehab group, they’re working very hard behind the scenes.
“So far, we’re building good things and we’ve just got to keep maintaining and improving our standards.”
Paris and Fanning are set to remain sidelined for WA’s next shield game against Victoria at the MCG from November 11, with Hardie more likely to feature as he continues his recovery from a minor muscle strain.
Meanwhile, Morris made his return to competitive cricket after an 19-month long injury layoff over the weekend. Having been denied the chance to bowl in Scarborough’s WA Premier Cricket clash with Willetton on Saturday by inclement weather, he lined up for the Gulls in a Twenty20 against the Country XI on Sunday, finishing with 2-14 from four overs.
Cam Bancroft came into WA’s game against SA having managed a top score of only 16 across his first four innings of the season, but burst back to form with by compiling a classy and determined 186 across the first two days.
Casson was full of praise for the “remarkable” veteran after he made his 25th shield hundred for the State.
“The big focus this week to try and start this game really well,” Casson said.
“It was great to see Cam go out there and bat for long periods of time and allow us to have the flow of the game. First-innings runs, they allow you to set up the game and play the way you want to.
“I’m over the moon for him.”
WA will now turn their attention to Saturday’s one-day clash with England, which will be used by the tourists as a warm-up game for their One-Day International series against Australia.
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