Western Australia has achieved a remarkable feat in Australian cricket, winning back-to-back Sheffield Shield titles for the first time in 24 years. The Western Warriors secured the title with a dominant performance in the final round of the competition, beating New South Wales by an innings and 15 runs at the WACA Ground in Perth.
The victory marks the first time since 1995 that Western Australia has won consecutive Sheffield Shield titles, and the first time since 2001 that they have won the title outright. The Warriors had previously shared the title with New South Wales in 2011-12 and 2013-14.
The win was the result of a strong team effort from the Western Warriors, with all-rounder Ashton Turner leading the way with a match-winning century in the first innings. Turner was ably supported by opening batsman Cameron Bancroft and wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis, who both scored half-centuries.
The Western Warriors’ bowling attack was also impressive, with paceman Jhye Richardson claiming five wickets in the match. Spinners Ashton Agar and D’Arcy Short also played a key role, taking four wickets between them.
The victory was a fitting reward for the Western Warriors’ consistent performances throughout the season. They finished second on the ladder after the regular season, before defeating Victoria in the semi-finals to set up a grand final showdown with New South Wales.
The win is a major boost for cricket in Western Australia, and will give the state’s cricketers a huge confidence boost heading into next season. It also serves as a reminder of just how far Western Australia has come since their last Sheffield Shield title in 1995.
The Western Warriors will now look to build on their success and make it three titles in a row next season. With a talented squad and a strong coaching staff, they are well placed to do just that.
