Live Update: Casson praises the WACA ground after their two-wicket Sheffield Shield win over Queensland in Western Australia. Western Australia defeated Queensland by two wickets in coach Beau Casson’s first Sheffield Shield match at the WACA Ground.
Casson praises the WACA pitch after Western Australia’s two-wicket Sheffield Shield win over Queensland (Credit: Janelle St Pierre/) Western Australia defeated Queensland by two wickets in a hard-fought Sheffield Shield match at the WACA Ground from October 8-11, 2026. Queensland scored 307 and 68 in two innings while Western Australia scored 175 and 201 in 8 to secure victory. The result was manager Beau Casson’s first game as Sheffield Shield coach after replacing Adam Voges.
Casson spoke to The West Australian about the field conditions that derailed the competition. He highlighted how the surface provided seam movement throughout the game, creating a balanced battle between bat and ball. The coach expressed satisfaction with the preparation of the field staff and said the WACA curators had delivered a quality surface.
“I even said that to our groundsmen when we were behind on the second day. I thought what they put down was a good surface,” Casson said in the aforementioned source. Casson also noted the dual nature of the WACA pitch, which rewarded both skillful bowling and aggressive batting. As the bowlers found the edge, the ball went through the slips, but the outfield of the bowling green still allowed the batsmen to put pressure on the scoreboard as deliveries went off the line.
Jhye Richardson’s bowling performance highlighted the favorable nature of the pitch for fast bowling. Richardson took 5 for 19 in Queensland’s second innings, demonstrating the oons available to experienced bowlers. “I just liked seeing that when you had a nick it actually hpened on the slips, but you also saw on day one that with the Bowling Green outfield that we have at WACA, you were still able to put some pressure on the bowlers on the scoreboard when they were missing.”
I think the bowling skills really outweighed where (the batting) was – Xavier Bartlett, he played for Australia, Jhye Richardson, played for Australia and is obviously a very talented bowler. Then you have the class of Joël Paris and on the other hand they had bowlers who could contribute. “We really want to continue to improve in this area and continue to strengthen after today’s result,” Casson said.
Sam Fanning’s contribution in the final innings proved crucial to Western Australia’s victory. Fanning scored 14 runs off 82 balls while batting at number 10 and suffering a hamstring injury. He had been on crutches the day before, making his participation in the crucial morning session a remarkable effort.
Fanning is awaiting scan results to determine the exact severity of the injury and is expected to miss at least the upcoming Shield clash between Western Australia and New South Wales. “He could have easily stuck his dick in the rack and said, ‘I’m no good’.” Our medical team was phenomenal and got him to a level where he could contribute to what he did.
It was sometimes strange to see him crawling sideways between the wickets, but through the physiotherist’s advice he discovered that this was the best way for him to get up and down. That speaks for his character, but also for the bond he has with his teammates. He wanted to do everything he could,” Casson said.
Mitch Marsh is back in Perth ahead of the birth of his second child. Marsh recently completed Australia’s ODI series against South Africa where he scored 200 runs at a strike rate of 152.67. He is expected to feature in Western Australia’s One Day Cup match against Queensland at the WACA on October 13, 2026.
Western Australia’s 50-over season began with a rain-damaged no-score against South Australia and a nine-wicket defeat against Tasmania. Cam Bancroft will miss the upcoming One Day Cup game after becoming the latest Western Australian batsman to succumb to illness.
