NSW's thrilling win over WA breaks 12-year drought

NSW have overcome a mid-innings wobble to post a four-wicket victory over Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield clash at the WACA Ground. 

Chasing 182 for victory, NSW were cruising at 1-117 on Tuesday before suffering a collapse of 5-36 to put the game on a knife's edge.

Mature knocks from Oliver Davies (24no off 23 balls) and Chris Green (16no off 11) got NSW over the line just after lunch on day four, handing the Blues their first Shield victory at the WACA since 2012.

NSW's second win on the trot has kept them within touching distance of the top two, occupied by Tasmania and Victoria.

Green was named player of the match after returning figures of 3-33 and 6-83 to go with his handy knocks of 19 and 16no.

The Blues resumed play on day four at 1-77 and victory looked a mere formality as Daniel Hughes (59) and Blake Nikitaras (56) dug in.

But Charlie Stobo's dismissal of Nikitaras opened the door for WA as NSW's middle order crumbled.

Spinner Corey Rocchiccioli snared Hughes and Matthew Gilkes, while Moises Henriques was left in disbelief when he was given out caught behind down the leg side for five.

Replays suggested Henriques didn't get any bat to the Joel Paris delivery.

NSW endured another piece of misfortune just before lunch when Jack Edwards shouldered arms to Paris and was given out lbw, despite the ball appearing to be too high.

That left NSW needing another 29 runs for victory, but Davies and Green came out swinging after the break to quickly put the contest to bed.

Green sealed victory with a big heave that Sam Fanning fumbled over the rope for six.

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