NSW launch stirring fightback after Whiteman century

Cameron Bancroft's bid for a big score was undone by a classic catch, but WA skipper Sam Whiteman struck a fighting century against NSW in an intriguing opening day of their Marsh Sheffield Shield clash in Perth.

Whiteman posted 107 off 188 balls and Josh Philippe made an unbeaten 52 off 76 balls to lift WA to 256 all out on a tricky WACA Ground wicket on Saturday.

NSW will begin their first innings on Sunday.

Bancroft, who was overlooked by national selectors for the two-Test series against West Indies, was aiming to post a big score to further prove his credentials.

But he was out for 42 off 110 balls when Jack Edwards pulled off a magical one-handed catch at second slip.

Edwards moved quickly to his left to pull off the stunner low to the ground.

It ended the opener’s 107-run opening stand with Whiteman, and WA were in danger of imploding after slipping from 2-164 to 6-172.

Whiteman was part of that carnage when he was run out from a direct hit by Ryan Hackney.

Hilton Cartwright (13), Teague Wyllie (0) and Sam Fanning (4) were also part of the collapse, as Jackson Bird (3-37) and Edwards (2-53) weaved their magic.

WA's innings might have ended a lot earlier if Chris Green had taken a simple catch at third slip when Philippe was yet to score.

Philippe made the most of the reprieve to crack seven fours and one six in a valuable knock that helped WA pass 250.

Green made up for that fumble by taking three late wickets on the way to 3-33, with WA's innings brought to an end right on stumps after losing eight wickets in the final session.

"I think any time you win the toss and bowl, and you bowl a team out by the end of the day, it's a good day," Bird told cricket.com.au after the match.

"They were 2-160 at tea, so we fought back really well in that last session."

Whiteman cracked 16 fours and one six during his stellar knock.

But his bid to come back for a second run after playing the ball to deep backward square leg proved to be his undoing.

Hackney scooped up the ball at pace before throwing down the stumps in a superb piece of fielding.

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