Sheffield Shield: Marnus Labuschagne falls late to give Western Australia ascendency over Queensland
Corey Rocchiccioli’s wicket of Test star Marnus Labuschagne with stumps looming on day two has broken open Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland.
Labuschagne held the key to the Bulls clawing past WA’s monster first-innings score at the WACA Ground, but was out lbw in the final half-hour of play for 77.
The door is now open for WA to claim a match-defining lead on Thursday, with Queensland at 3-185 with Jack Clayton at the crease on 52 and Ben McDermott 11. They trail by 304.
Cameron Gannon pinched Usman Khawaja’s off-bail moments after tea for 31 and opener Matthew Renshaw missed the chance to stamp his claim on a Test spot with six.
Cooper Connolly — in just his second first-class match after debuting in last year’s final — scored a crash-and-bash 79 in the morning session.
A day after they were left floundering at 3-18, WA posted 465.
The first round of the red-ball season is now being played with the backdrop of growing fears that star all-rounder Cam Green will leave a spot open on Australia’s side to play India starting in November.
Connolly’s knock was the cherry on top of twin tons from Josh Inglis and Sam Whiteman on the opening day.
He began the day on 23 and with Gannon on eight. They both scored half centuries and batted almost the entire first session.
Labuschagne, in his first match as full-time captain, took two wickets bowling medium pace, including Brody Couch thanks to an athletic boundary catch by Michael Neser.
Rocchiccioli’s dismissal of Labuschagne was a lesson in persistence. The WA off-spinner was targeted and taken down early in his spell. His first six overs went for 42 runs.
“He found some really good shape at the back-end of the day and as the game continues and as the game continues he is going to become more and more important for us,” Gannon said of Rocchiccioli.
State debutant Brody Couch pushed beyond 140km/h during his first spell, but battled cramp later in the day. He did strike Labuschagne with a body blow shortly before he was dismissed.
Matt Kelly toiled hard, but Gannon looked the best of the quicks with 2-33 from 14 on a wicket that hardened from a day in the sun.
“It’s flattened out a little bit, but there’s still enough divots there for us to take some poles in the morning,” Gannon said.
Camera IconCameron Gannon of Western Australia raises his bat after scoring fifty runs. Credit: Will Russell/Getty Images
The former Bulls quick said he took a “huge amount” of confidence from his performances late last season.
In Sydney, Alex Carey returned serve on Josh Inglis’ day-one century with a 90 off 85 balls for South Australia that puts to bed any lingering doubts over his spot in the Test team.
If there were any lingering doubts over Alex Carey’s position in the Test team, they were put to bed with his 90 from 85 balls for South Australia against New South Wales.
Travis Head hit 30, batting at No.4, in their score of 7-227 at stumps on day two.
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