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Mighty Marsh helps WA tame Tigers

Allrounder makes strong return to bowling crease after groin injury with six wickets in Western Australia's crucial Shield win

Mitch Marsh has reported no ongoing injury concerns after making an impressive return to the bowling crease in Western Australia’s vital JLT Sheffield Shield victory in Hobart.

The skipper collected figures of 3-21 and 3-76 in the Warriors’ 51-run victory over Tasmania at Blundstone Arena.

Marsh feared he had ruptured a testicle following a blow to the groin in a training mishap last month.

Surgery revealed the 27-year-old had severe bleeding in the area rather than a rupture, resulting in him missing WA’s four-day match against NSW in February. 

He returned against South Australia earlier this month but played as a batsman, contributing scores of 17 and 31.

WA stay in contention for spot in Shield final

“I’m a bit sore. I think I bowled about three times in the last five weeks before this game,” Marsh said after sending down 31.1 overs for the match.

“But I actually feel really good. I had plenty of bowling under my belt before that, so really happy to chip in with a couple of wickets.”

The Warriors will be eyeing a spot in the final after bowling out the plucky Tigers for 402 on the final day.

The success left them in third spot on the table with one round remaining after second-placed NSW were toppled by ladder-leading Victoria.

Sam Whiteman was named player of the match after making 55 and 93, while Joel Paris (3-33 and 3-64) also took six wickets.

A fifth-wicket stand of 183 between Matthew Wade (134) and Ben McDermott (69) threatened to lift Tasmania to a memorable final-day victory before the home side lost their last six wickets for 83 runs.

Wade produces brilliant Shield innings

“I thought we played some outstanding cricket for the whole four days and we set the game up beautifully for today,” Marsh said.

“Wadey and Ben McDermott played some great innings to keep them in the game, but really proud of the way we were able to play for four days and we got our rewards late.

“In four-day cricket, in Test cricket these days, it’s easy to panic.

“They got a great partnership going, but…we knew we were one or two wickets away from the tail and things can move quickly there.

“They fought it out extremely hard the whole day. I thought, ‘that’s a great game of cricket’ and days like today, that’s why you play Shield cricket.”

The Warriors will meet Queensland at the WACA in the final round of the Shield season, starting on Wednesday.

The Bulls’ squad includes towering quick Billy Stanlake, who is in line to make his second appearance of the Shield campaign, while the match could be the last for paceman Luke Feldman after his announced his retirement at season’s end.

Queensland occupy fourth position on the table.