A hamstrung Sam Fanning crab-walked to 14 not out and captain Aaron Hardie made 80 not out as Western Australia beat Queensland by two wickets in a Sheffield Shield classic at the WACA.
ESPNcricinfo reported on Sunday 11 October 2026 that Western Australia have pulled off a stunning two-wicket win over Queensland in the Sheffield Shield at the WACA. Chasing 201, WA lost wickets in a rush on day four, but captain Aaron Hardie held the chase together and an injured Sam Fanning hit the winning runs.
| At a glance | Detail |
|---|---|
| Match | Western Australia v Queensland, 3rd match, Sheffield Shield 2026-27, WACA Ground, Perth, 8-11 October 2026 |
| Result | Western Australia won by two wickets, chasing 201 |
| Scores | Queensland 307 and 68, Western Australia 175 and 201 for 8 |
| Player of the match | Aaron Hardie, 80 not out off 128 balls in the chase |
| Key bowlers | Jhye Richardson 5 for 19 in Queensland's second innings, Xavier Bartlett nine wickets in the match |
Hardie holds the chase together
WA resumed on 134 for 5 needing 67 more, and the morning turned dramatic. Wickets fell steadily and the hosts slipped to 161 for 8, with Bartlett striking twice with consecutive balls on his way to nine wickets in the match.
Hardie, the WA captain, stayed put through the collapse. He finished unbeaten on 80 off 128 balls, an innings that earned him the player of the match award.
Fanning limps in at No. 10 and finishes the job
The most striking moment belonged to Fanning. The 25-year-old opener tore his hamstring on day three and was on crutches the day before the finish, yet he came in at No. 10. He made 14 not out off 82 balls, crab-walking between the wickets to take singles, and sealed the win with a two through the off side. He and Hardie shared a long hug afterwards.
It capped a notable game for Fanning, who had top-scored with 64 in WA's first innings of 175. It was also the first Sheffield Shield win for WA's new head coach, Beau Casson.
How the match swung
Queensland were well placed after the first innings. They made 307, with Jimmy Peirson unbeaten on 101 and Jack Clayton scoring 82, while WA were bowled out for 175, Bartlett taking 5 for 48.
The second innings changed everything. Joel Paris removed both openers, Hugh Weibgen and Angus Lovell, in the first over, and Queensland were 5 for 13 on the way to being bowled out for 68 in 25.1 overs. Richardson took 5 for 19 off 9.1 overs and Paris finished with 3 for 21, setting up a target of 201 that WA chased down with two wickets in hand.
Read the full report on Cricinfo. Cricinfo.
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