Western Australia Thrash Tasmania with Agar’s Spin and Couch’s Hat-Trick
Western Australia’s dominance in the Sheffield Shield continued as they thrashed Tasmania by an innings and 45 runs in Hobart. The victory extended WA’s lead at the top of the ladder, showcasing their impressive depth and skill.
Ashton Agar, a left-arm spinner, played a pivotal role in the win, claiming 3 for 12 in the second innings. His performance came after a call from Australian chairman of selectors George Bailey for left-arm spinners to step up. Agar’s variety and control dried up the runs, allowing the pace attack to shine.
Brody Couch became the first bowler in Western Australian history to take a Sheffield Shield hat-trick, dismissing Jake Doran, Lawrence Neil-Smith, and Sam Elliott in quick succession. The hat-trick extinguished any hopes of a Tasmanian draw.
WA’s victory was built on a strong first innings performance, where they amassed 460 for 9 declared. Cameron Bancroft (153), Sam Whiteman (94), and Agar (74) led the way with substantial contributions.
Tasmania’s batting struggled throughout the match. In the second innings, they were dismissed for a paltry 98, with only Caleb Jewell (61) offering any resistance. Joel Paris, a left-arm pacer, was the pick of the WA bowlers, claiming 2 for 18 in the second innings to complement his 4 for 45 in the first.
The WA performance was particularly impressive considering the absence of strike bowler Matthew Kelly, who suffered a hamstring injury in the first innings. The team’s depth and resilience were evident as they overcame this setback to secure a comprehensive victory.