WA vs SA Preview | Western Australia aim first win in tournament, set to face winless South Australia in their next game

ByUmesh Sharma,SportsCafe Editor

Yesterday at 6:34 PM

Two struggling teams, Western Australia and South Australia, will clash in the ninth game of the ongoing Sheffield Shield 2025-26 at the WACA Ground in Perth. After playing two games each, both teams have yet to win a game in the tournament’s current edition, making this game a must-win for both.

Western Australia are currently struggling at the bottom of the tournament standings, having lost two consecutive games in the two they have played so far. Their campaign started with a 74-run defeat against New South Wales in their campaign opener, followed by a narrow three-run defeat against Tasmania in the next game. Western Australia have only two points to their name in the tournament, so they will aim to win this game and move up a spot in the tally.

Speaking of South Australia, they too aren’t in a good position in the ongoing Sheffield Shield 2025-26, losing two games consecutively. With 3.05 points, they are placed in the fifth spot on the points table. South Australia’s campaign started with a four-wicket defeat against Victoria in their first game, followed by a big seven-wicket defeat against Queensland. So, this game will be of the same importance or South Australia compared to Western Australia.

Form Guide

Western Australia: L L

South Australia: L L

WA vs SA Head-to-Head in FC Games

In the last five games of the head-to-head contest between Western Australia and South Australia, the fight has been on even note, with both teams winning two games each and a game ending as ‘drawn’ without a result. So, both WA and SA will aim to win this game and make the scoreline 3-2 in their favour.

Pitch and Weather

The surface at the Western Australia Cricket Association Stadium in Perth is famous for its lethal pace and bounce, which might be a big challenge for batters to deal with in the initial half of the game. Especially with the new ball, it will be a paradise for the seamers, so bowling first after winning the toss is preferred on this pitch.

The weather in Perth on Tuesday will be hot and sunny, with the temperature hovering around 32 degrees Celsius. 38 per cent humidity will also be there to play its part in the weather conditions.

Team News

Both Western Australia and South Australia are expected to make a change or two in their final playing XIs for this game, because both are coming off two straight defeats in their respective two games so far.

Western Australia Probable XI: Cameron Bancroft, Sam Whieman (C), Jayden Goodwin, Hilton Cartwright, Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Joel Curtis (WK), Matthew Kelly, Cameron Gannon, Corey Rocchiccioli, and Liam Haskett.

South Australia Probable XI: Conor Mclnerney, Henry Hunt, Nathan McSweeney (C), Jason Sangha, Alex Carey (WK), Jake Lehmann, Liam Scott, Nathan McAndrew, Wes Agar, Lloyd Pope, and Jordan Buckingham.