Tasmania Crushes Western Australia in Record-Breaking Collapse
Tasmania staged a remarkable bowling performance at the WACA on Friday, dismantling Western Australia (WA) for just 53 runs in a historic one-day domestic clash. The defending champions lost an astonishing eight wickets for one run in a dismal batting collapse, resulting in the second-lowest total in Australian one-day cup history.
After opening batsman D’Arcy Short managed 22 runs, WA’s batters struggled to handle Tasmania’s fierce pace attack. Cameron Bancroft, eyeing a potential recall to Australia’s Test squad, was dismissed for 14, trapped lbw by Tasmanian pacer Beau Webster, who finished with an impressive 6-17.
The collapse saw WA’s last seven batters dismissed for ducks, including key players Josh Inglis, Ashton Turner, Hilton Cartwright, and Ashton Agar. Tasmania’s performance was the most devastating seen in the domestic competition since 2002-03, when they bowled South Australia out for just 51.
In New South Wales’ clash with Victoria, former Australian Test captain Steve Smith scored a solid 56 off 53 balls, resuming his usual No. 4 position. His innings was eventually cut short by ex-Test paceman Peter Siddle, who claimed 5-49.
With Tasmania’s clinical performance, they handed WA a wake-up call, showing that even defending champions can falter under relentless pressure.