Western Australia vs Victoria, Sheffield Shield, Today Match Prediction 23 March 2023

wesaus vs vic Match Prediction & Analysis

Defending champions Western Australia will eye their 17th title as they take on Victoria in the final of Sheffield Shield 2022-23. The two sides had met in the previous game, where Victoria won by 7 wickets. The Victorian side shall like to draw inspiration from the last game and grab their 33rd title. Western Australia plays at home, and they will like to take advantage of it.  

Western Australia has dominated Victoria in the last three seasons and lost only once against them. Their batters have been in excellent form, and the team has a good record at home. Victoria has done well at the backend of the season after a poor start, but they haven’t done well at Perth in recent years, barring the last game. It will be interesting to see how the side fares in the game. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Western Australia Preview

Sam Whiteman would like to overcome the nightmare in the last game, where their batsmen had a poor outing. They have done well this season and have a good record at this venue. Whiteman would know that Victorians will come hard at them in this game. He would want his players to approach this game positively and take advantage of the conditions.  

Cameron Bancroft has had a good run this season and must set up a big partnership with Sam Whiteman at the top. Hilton Cartwright is in form and will look to build partnerships with Teague Wyllie and Aaron Hardie in the middle order. Ashton Turner and Josh Phillippe add solidity to the batting line-up down the order. 

Their bowlers will face a stiff challenge in this game. Cameron Gannon and Joel Paris must bowl good lines with the new ball. Matthew Kelly has enjoyed a good season, and his return will strengthen the side. Corey Rocchiccioli, Turner and Aaron Hardie add to the side’s bowling strength. 

Western Australia Predicted Playing XI:

Sam Whiteman (c), Cameron Bancroft, Teague Wyllie, Hilton Cartwright, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner, Josh Philippe (wk), Joel Paris, Cameron Gannon, Corey Rocchiccioli, Matthew Kelly

Victoria Preview

Peter Handscomb returns to the team after the tour of India, and he would be happy to find them in the right spirit. He would like to start from where his side had left in the last game and aim for another title. It would be a tough battle against Western Australia in the latter’s home ground, but Handscomb would trust his players to play positive cricket in this game.  

Marcus Harris is in good form and will offer the side a good start, along with Travis Dean. Handscomb’s return makes the middle order strong, and he has to build partnerships in the middle order with Campbell Kellaway and Matthew Short, with players scoring runs in the last game. Sam Harper and Will Sutherland make it a formidable batting line-up.  

Scott Bolland and Mitchell Perry must strike early in this game, as Western Australia has good strength at the top. Sutherland is the leading wicket-taker for the side this season, and he must do well with Matthew Short and Fergus O’Neill. Todd Murphy returns with his exploits in India, which will make him confident. 

Victoria Predicted Playing XI:

Peter Handscomb (c & wk), Marcus Harris, Travis Dean, Campbell Kellaway, Matthew Short, Will Sutherland, Sam Harper (wk), Mitchell Perry, Scott Boland, Fergus O’Neill, Todd Murphy

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

We expect good weather during the four days of this game, with clear skies on most days. The pitch would be a challenging one to bat on as there is swing and seam on offer for the fast bowlers. The side batting first would be happy to have 350 runs on the board in the first innings.

Venue Details

WACA Perth is one of the most sporting wickets in the world, and most of the matches played here have balanced it out between the batters and the bowlers. There is early assistance for the bowlers on this surface, and the ball coming onto the bat nicely also allows batters to play their strokes.

Toss: To Bowl

The conditions would be good for bowling first on this surface, with the lively pitch assisting the bowlers. On this surface, it is difficult for the batsmen on the first day of the game. Hence, the side winning the toss shall have no hesitation in bowling first.