Victoria’s hopes of securing a fourth consecutive one-day cup title were dashed after a rain-affected 15-run defeat to Victoria under the DLS method.
The match at the MCG on Wednesday was reduced to 46 overs per side due to rain, with Victoria winning the toss and electing to bat. However, the hosts found themselves in early trouble, losing two wickets for 16 runs in the first 4.5 overs.
Jhye Richardson and Lance Morris struck early for Western Australia, dismissing Marcus Harris and Will Pucovski cheaply. But Sam Harper steadied the ship for Victoria, anchoring their innings with an unbeaten 59 from 54 balls. Harper hit five fours and three sixes, providing the impetus for Victoria’s total of 132 for 6 from their reduced allocation of 23 overs.
In reply, Western Australia never got going with the bat. Captain Ashton Turner made 24 from 24 balls before he was caught behind off Todd Murphy, but no other WA batter went past 20. Cameron Bancroft continued his poor run of form, dismissed for 4 from 17 balls.
Murphy and Fergus O’Neill were the stars with the ball for Victoria, bowling out WA for 108. Murphy finished with figures of 4-27, while O’Neill took 3-12.
The win gives Victoria a 3-2 record, putting them in contention for a spot in the final, while WA (1-4) are out of contention. WA have won five of the past seven one-day cup titles and six of the past 10, including the last three in succession.
