Sam Whiteman says his present-day Western Australian champions need to be rated as one of many state’s greatest-ever sides after their Sheffield Protect three-peat.
WA prolonged their home dynasty by sealing their third successive Protect and 18th of their historical past with a 377-run annihilation of Tasmania within the ultimate on the WACA in Perth.
Whiteman was named participant of the match for his first-innings of 104 — his second ton in a Protect ultimate after additionally scoring 123 within the 2021/22 decider.
He additionally turned the fourth man to captain WA to 2 Protect titles, after John Inverarity (4 occasions), Graeme Wooden (three) and Tom Moody.
Wooden raised the silverware three straight occasions from 1987 to 1989, and Whiteman stated his workforce ought to be counted in that very same rarefied air.
“It needs to be one of many nice WA Protect groups,” he stated.
“Little doubt we’ll go alongside [Wood’s teams].
“I feel with the one-day stuff [three consecutive Marsh Cups] as properly, we might need to be up there with the good WA groups.
“Hopefully there’s extra success down the road.”
In contrast to final summer time, when WA dominated nearly from the opening spherical, this season they needed to scrap their option to the title, solely sealing their place within the decider on the final day of the round-robin stage after two late wins.
Primary batter Cameron Bancroft missed the ultimate with concussion after a biking accident, whereas assault spearheads Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson and Matt Kelly have been unavailable by way of damage.
“The whole lot went to plan final 12 months — we received plenty of Protect video games early and we have been out in entrance,” Whiteman stated.
“We have had a tricky slog this 12 months with accidents and Australian picks.
“With Cameron Bancroft dropping out, arguably one among our most necessary gamers, the best way others stood up and did a job for the workforce, it is an enormous effort from everybody.
“It is taken the entire squad to win.
“I am extremely pleased with the group.”
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AAP