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Victoria wraps up comfortable win in WA

3 minute read

Rain and Josh Philippe's maiden first class century were impediments, but Victoria ultimately won by an innings at the WACA Ground.

PETER HANDSCOMB of Australia looks on during an Ashes test match at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia.
PETER HANDSCOMB of Australia looks on during an Ashes test match at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

It was as emphatic as it gets for Victoria as they defied on and off field impediments to carry their title-winning domestic one-day form into the Sheffield Shield opener in Perth.

Although rain and maiden first-class centurion Josh Philippe slowed their march to victory at the WACA, Victoria eventually cruised an an innings and 45 run triumph on Friday.

Philippe carried his stout resistance from 83 overnight to 104 but once he exited with WA in strife at 7-243 the end was nigh.

Only eight run runs were added by the tail before Victoria could properly begin celebrating Will Pucovski's superb career-best 243 - the backbone of the visitors mammoth first innings of 504.

Victoria were already on the front foot after justifying Peter Handscomb's decision to bowl first by dismissing WA for 208 on day one.

WA then collapsed in their second dig, plummeting to 5-45 early on Thursday before Philippe and Josh Inglis (69) provided resistance while rain also wiped out a session.

They needed more rain on the final day, but instead Victoria ran through the remainder of the WA order inside an hour.

Chris Tremain took 5-100 to fashion a match analysis of 9-137 while Scott Boland's 3-72 followed 4-57 in the first innings.

"We've obviously come in with a lot of confidence after the semi-final and final in the one-day comp where we played really good cricket," Handscomb said.

"We've taken that feeling and brought it here, and to start the way we have in the Shield season is awesome.

"The feeling in the camp is great and everyone is positive, we're taking positive options and we're trying to be as good as we can for as long as we can.

"It's working so far and hopefully it can continue for the rest of the season."

WA coach Adam Voges lamented a poor batting effort which saw the top order fail in both innings by folding to 4-42 and 5-45 respectively.

The bowling attack was weakened when Matt Kelly had to be replaced after being concussed while batting on Tuesday while Simon Macklin and David Moody struggled on their home deck.

"We showed a few good signs in that second innings but it certainly doesn't mask what was a pretty disappointing performance all-round," said Voges, who succeeded current Australian coach Justin Langer.

"We've been outplayed comprehensively at home with bat and ball, and that's obviously a pretty tough start."

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