A star-studded Western Australia side collapsed in dramatic fashion, losing eight wickets for just one run as they were bowled out for a record-low 53 in the One-Day Cup.
In match 10 of the 2024-25 One-Day Cup, Australia's premier List A domestic competition, Western Australia took on Tasmania in Perth with the hosts looking to build on their first win of the season, last time out against Queensland.
Tasmania skipper Jordan Silk won the toss and put WA in to bat. His decision soon paid off, as after some restrictive bowling in the initial overs, Tom Rogers induced a mis-timed drive from opener Aaron Hardie to have him caught at cover.
There was a rebuilding job undertaken by D'Arcy Short and Cameron Bancroft though, as the pair saw WA through to the 10-over mark to score 33-1. Short departed in the 14th over, nicking behind off Beau Webster to leave his side 45-2.
Western Australia lose eight wickets for one run, collapse from 52-2 to 53 all out
In the 16th over, Webster took his second of the match, trapping Bancroft plumb in front of the stumps. WA were now 52-3, and Bancroft's dismissal kicked off one of the most extraordinary sequences of play in recent memory.
Just two balls after removing Bancroft, Webster accounted for Ashton Turner in near-identical fashion. Off the first ball of the next over, Billy Stanlake struck, going straight through Josh Inglis to rattle his stumps.
Stanlake then took a second in the over, getting one to rear up off a length and take the edge of Hilton Cartwright's bat. Caleb Jewell completed a simple catch in the slip cordon. Tasmania had now taken four wickets in the last seven balls, leaving WA at 52-6.
Watch: World champion captain run out in bizarre circumstances after failing to regain ground
The seventh wicket went down in the next over, as Webster took his fourth by getting Cooper Connolly to nick a full delivery to second slip. The innings eventually came to an end in a hurry, with three wickets in three balls.
Off the last two of the 20th over, Webster took his fifth and sixth wickets – Jhye Richardson caught behind and Joel Paris lbw. WA were now 53-9, with their solitary run since the third wicket coming thanks to a wide from Stanlake. Stanlake wrapped up the innings with the first delivery of the 21st over, as Ashton Agar skied a pull shot and was caught by the short leg fielder.
Also read: Washington Sundar, R Ashwin share all ten wickets to set off-spin world record
Having been bowled out for 53, Western Australia hit a new low, recording their lowest-ever score in List A cricket by beating the 59 they registered against Victoria in December 1969.
Adding to the ignominy of the innings was the fact that WA, in quite unique fashion, could boast of a playing XI in which every single player had played international cricket. But six of their batters registered ducks, with No.11 Lance Morris remaining not out without facing a ball.
Name | Dismissal | Score | International matches |
Aaron Hardie | c Weatherald b Rogers | 7 | 18 |
D'Arcy Short | c Doran b Webster | 22 | 31 |
Cameron Bancroft | lbw b Webster | 14 | 11 |
Josh Inglis | b Stanlake | 1 | 49 |
Ashton Turner | lbw b Webster | 0 | 28 |
Cooper Connolly | c Owen b Webster | 0 | 3 |
Hilton Cartwright | c Jewell b Stanlake | 0 | 4 |
Ashton Agar | c Weatherald b Stanlake | 0 | 76 |
Jhye Richardson | c Doran b Webster | 0 | 36 |
Joel Paris | lbw b Webster | 0 | 2 |
Lance Morris | not out | 0 | 2 |
In reply, Tasmania secured a relatively easy victory, chasing down the target of 54 in 8.3 overs to win by seven wickets, with 249 balls to spare.
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.