Whiteman’s maiden Marsh Cup ton guides WA home

Sam Whiteman has scored a maiden Marsh Cup century to guide Western Australia to a four-wicket win over South Australia at the WACA Ground.

In reply to South Australia's 7-279 on Monday night, WA reached the victory target with three balls to spare courtesy of Whiteman's unbeaten 137 off 124 balls.

It was Whiteman's first century in 61 List A appearances, beating his previous highest score of 89.

The stand-in skipper cracked 11 fours and five sixes in the match-winning knock.

Jhye Richardson, in his first match back from a shoulder injury, added a handy 25no off 16 balls after WA had fallen to 6-230, still needing 50 from 36 balls.

Henry Hunt dropped both Richardson and Whiteman in the 47th over, with the missed chances costing South Australia the chance to snatch victory.

The result lifted WA (4-1) to equal top of the table alongside Victoria, while South Australia remain last after failing to post a win in their opening five games.

The Redbacks' victory hopes were hampered when paceman Harry Conway was ruled out of bowling duties after injuring his back while batting.

Opener Jake Fraser-McGurk, who posted a world-record 29-ball century earlier this season, got the Redbacks off to a flyer with a whirlwind 31 off 15 balls.

But he became Richardson's sole wicket of the day when he was bowled by an in-swinging slower ball.

Charlie Stobo dropped a skied shot from Hunt at fine leg when the Redbacks opener was on 26.

Luckily for Stobo the mistake didn't cost WA too much, with Hunt dismissed for 34 when Hilton Cartwright caught the ball on the boundary and threw it back to a teammate before falling across the rope.

Before Hunt's dismissal, South Australia had been cruising at 1-114 in the 20th over.

But the visitors weren't able to fully capitalise on the strong foundation, despite solid knocks from Daniel Drew (84 off 96 balls) and Nathan McSweeney (53 off 69).

Richardson was expensive early before finishing with figures of 1-63 from 10 overs.

Spinner Cooper Connolly was the most economical WA bowler with 1-41 off his 10 overs.

WA batter Cameron Bancroft posted a handy 51 off 67 balls before becoming the first of Lloyd Pope's three victims.

Whiteman entered the fray with WA in early trouble at 2-27, and he held his nerve to take the game away from the Redbacks.

Marsh Cup 2023-24 standings

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Ties T	No results N/R	Net Run Rate NRR	Deductions Ded.	Batting Bonus Bat	Total points PTS
1 NSW Men NSW	7	5	2	0	0	0.33	0	2	22
2 Western Australia Men WA	7	5	2	0	0	0.543	0	1	21
3 Victoria Men VIC	7	5	2	0	0	0.232	0	1	21
4 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	7	3	4	0	0	-0.201	0	1	13
5 Queensland Bulls QLD	7	1	5	0	1	-0.735	0	1	7
6 South Australia Men SA	7	1	5	0	1	-0.327	1	0	5

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

T: Ties

N/R: No results

NRR: Net Run Rate

Ded.: Deductions

Bat: Batting Bonus

PTS: Total points