Victoria secured an emphatic eight-wicket win over Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield at Junction Oval, overcoming a rare hat-trick by WA spinner Corey Rocchiccioli to chase down 120 on the final day.
A Flurry of Drama Early
Rocchiccioli provided a moment of magic, bowling Ashley Chandrasinghe and Campbell Kellaway with consecutive deliveries to have Victoria at 19 for 2. This capped off his remarkable hat-trick, which began with the dismissal of Peter Siddle on the final ball of WA’s first innings. It was a feat reminiscent of West Indies great Courtney Walsh’s hat-trick against Australia in 1988.
Despite the early scare, captain Peter Handscomb (56) and opener Marcus Harris (56) launched a counterattack, forging an unbroken 103-run partnership to seal the victory. Handscomb safely negotiated Rocchiccioli's hat-trick delivery and led the chase with composure and aggression, leaving no room for a WA miracle.
Curtis Shines Amid Defeat
Earlier in the day, WA were dismissed for 325, with Joel Curtis producing a standout performance. The wicketkeeper-batter notched his maiden first-class century, finishing unbeaten on a defiant 119. His resilience kept WA's hopes alive, particularly during a 36-over stand with Brody Couch, who contributed a gritty 103-ball innings.
Spinner Ashton Agar, battling an AC joint injury and unable to properly grip the bat, epitomized WA's fighting spirit by coming out to bat despite the odds.
Victoria’s Bowling Unit Dominates
Victoria’s bowlers laid the foundation for the win. Todd Murphy claimed four for 37 in the first innings, helping dismiss WA for a paltry 167. Paceman Fergus O'Neill shone with six wickets across both innings, while all-rounder Sam Elliott impressed with four scalps in the second innings.
The win maintains Victoria’s momentum in the Sheffield Shield, as they capitalized on contributions from both their bowlers and key batters to overcome the defending champions and assert their dominance.