WA set up Shield semi-final clash after thumping Bulls

Western Australia have set up a virtual Marsh Sheffield Shield semi-final clash with Victoria after defeating Queensland by 146 runs at the WACA Ground.

The dual defending champions secured their fourth win of the season after dismissing the brave Bulls for 301 in their second innings on Monday.

The victory allowed WA to jump from third and leapfrog Victoria into second on the table with one match remaining in the regular season.

Chasing a mammoth 448 for victory, Queensland collapsed to 4-81, but some valuable lower-order contributions helped them frustrate the hosts and extend the match into the final session on day four.

Experienced allrounder Jack Wildermuth smashed a blazing 91, falling just short of his fourth first-class century.

The in-form Ben McDermott (59) also did his best to keep WA in the field longer than they would have liked.

Spinner Corey Rocchiccioli (4-108) and quick Cameron Gannon (3-49) were the pick of WA's bowlers as they completed the 146-run victory in the final session on Monday.

WA took a 140-run first-innings lead after rolling Queensland for 170 on Saturday.

The hosts were looking wobbly at 4-58 in their second innings before Australia's white-ball wicketkeeper Josh Inglis smashed a sparkling unbeaten 136 to regain complete control for WA.

WA are aiming to become the first side since Victoria (2015-17) to win three straight titles.

To achieve that, the Adam Voges-coached team will need to beat Victoria in their final regular-season match, starting next Monday at the Junction Oval.

Whoever wins that match will qualify for the decider and give themselves a shot of hosting the final.

WA could potentially still qualify for the final with a draw in Melbourne, but such a result would put them out of contention of playing the decider in Perth.

Adding to their Shield success during the past two seasons, WA have also claimed three straight Marsh One-Day Cup trophies.

Ladder-leaders Tasmania remain in the box seat to host the final, with a victory over South Australia next week ensuring the decider is played at Blundstone Arena in Hobart.

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