Whiteman epic headlines WACA run fest

Cameron Bancroft missed out on a second consecutive Marsh Sheffield Shield century but Sam Whiteman was able to cash in during Western Australia's run fest against Tasmania at the WACA Ground.

In reply to Tasmania's 439, WA went to stumps on day three at 6-437 in a match that will almost certainly end in a dull draw.

Bancroft, who made 122 against Victoria in WA's Shield opener, backed it up with a patient 91 from 243 balls against the Tigers on a flat WACA wicket.

But the day belonged to Whiteman, who posted 188 off 383 balls in a knock that featured 21 fours.

Aaron Hardie (56 off 85 balls) also provided a handy cameo as Tasmania's attack toiled away with little success.

Ashton Turner (25no) and Charlie Stobo (15no) will return to the crease when play resumes on Wednesday.

Bancroft's day was brought to an end when his attempted reverse sweep resulted in him being trapped LBW by spinner Jarrod Freeman.

Paceman Gabe Bell (2-64) then sent Teague Wyllie (4) and Hilton Cartwright (7) packing cheaply as WA went from 0-227 to 3-248.

But Whiteman and Hardie ensured the rot stopped there, combining for a 93-run partnership to snuff out Tasmania's victory hopes.

Whiteman's hopes of a maiden double century were brought undone when he drove Beau Webster to gully.

Sheffield Shield 2023-24 standings

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Drawn D	No results N/R	Deductions Ded.	Batting Bonus Bat	Bowling Bonus Bowl	Total points PTS
1 Western Australia Men WA	10	5	2	3	0	0	5.53	9.4	47.93
2 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	10	5	2	3	0	0	6.06	8.3	47.36
3 NSW Men NSW	10	4	3	3	0	0	6.31	9	42.31
4 Victoria Men VIC	10	4	4	2	0	0	4.74	8.2	38.94
5 South Australia Men SA	10	3	6	1	0	0	5.19	9.3	33.49
6 Queensland Bulls QLD	10	2	6	2	0	0	3.54	8.3	25.84

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

D: Drawn

N/R: No results

Ded.: Deductions

Bat: Batting Bonus

Bowl: Bowling Bonus

PTS: Total points