Casson praises WACA pitch after Western Australia's two-wicket Sheffield Shield win over Queensland

Western Australia defeated Queensland by two wickets in a tightly contested Sheffield Shield match at the WACA Ground from October 8 to 11, 2026. Queensland posted 307 and 68 across two innings, while Western Australia scored 175 and 201 for 8 to secure the victory. The result marked coach Beau Casson's first Sheffield Shield game in charge after replacing Adam Voges.

Casson spoke to The West Australian about the pitch conditions that shaped the contest. He highlighted how the surface offered seam movement throughout the match and created a balanced contest between bat and ball. The coach expressed satisfaction with the groundstaff's preparation, saying the WACA curators had delivered a quality surface.

"I even said this to our groundsmen when we were behind in the game on day two — I thought what they put up was a good surface," Casson said in the above mentioned source.

Casson also noted the dual nature of the WACA pitch, which rewarded both skilled bowling and aggressive batting. When bowlers found the edge, the ball carried through to the slips, yet the bowling green outfield still allowed batsmen to apply scoreboard pressure when deliveries strayed from line. Jhye Richardson's bowling performance underscored the pitch's conducive nature for fast bowling. Richardson took 5 for 19 in Queensland's second innings, demonstrating the opportunities available to skilled bowlers.

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"I just enjoyed seeing that when you got a nick, it was actually carrying to the slips, but also, you saw on day one, with the bowling green outfield we have at the WACA, you were still able to put some scoreboard pressure on the bowlers when they missed. I think the bowling skill just really outshone where (the batting) was at — Xavier Bartlett, he’s played for Australia, Jhye Richardson, played for Australia and is obviously a very skilful bowler. Then you’ve got the class of a Joel Paris and on the flip-side, they had bowlers that were able to contribute. “We’re pretty keen to keep getting better in that space and make it go from strength to strength now after today’s result," Casson said.

Sam Fanning's contribution in the final innings proved crucial to Western Australia's victory. Fanning scored 14 not out off 82 balls while batting at number 10 and nursing a hamstring injury. The previous day, he had been on crutches, making his participation in the decisive morning session a remarkable effort. Fanning is awaiting scan results to determine the exact severity of the injury and is expected to miss at least Western Australia's next Shield clash with New South Wales.

"Quite easily, he could have just put the cue in the rack and said ‘I’m no good to do anything'. Our medical team was phenomenal, in terms of getting him to a level where he was able to contribute what he did. It was comical at times to watch him crab-running sideways between the wickets, but he found out through the physio’s guidance that was the best way for him to get up and down. It’s a testament to his character, but also the connection he has to his teammates. He wanted to do everything possible," Casson said.

Mitch Marsh has returned to Perth ahead of the birth of his second child. Marsh recently completed Australia's ODI series against South Africa, where he scored 200 runs at a strike rate of 152.67. He is set to feature in Western Australia's One-Day Cup match against Queensland at the WACA on October 13, 2026. Western Australia's 50-over campaign began with a rain-affected no result against South Australia and a nine-wicket loss to Tasmania. Cam Bancroft will miss the upcoming One-Day Cup game after becoming the latest Western Australia batsman to succumb to illness.