Boland’s Six-for Powers Victoria into Sheffield Shield Final

Scott Boland continued his remarkable summer with a devastating six-wicket haul as Victoria thrashed Western Australia by 353 runs at the WACA, sealing a place in the Sheffield Shield final.

Victoria surged to 50.76 points on the ladder, comfortably ahead of second-placed Queensland (34.38), and with two matches remaining in the regular season have secured their berth in the decider, which will be played in Melbourne from March 26.

The 36-year-old seamer dismantled the home side’s top order on Thursday, claiming the first five wickets to fall and returning later for the final scalp to finish with outstanding figures of 6 for 22 from 11.5 relentless overs. Western Australia, resuming the final day at 26 for 2, were bowled out for 114 in 44.5 overs.

Boland had already struck twice late on the previous afternoon and wasted no time on the final morning. He trapped left-hander Sam Whiteman lbw with just the third ball of the day before removing former Test opener Cameron Bancroft with a delivery that drew him forward and seamed away slightly, well taken behind the stumps by Sam Harper. Teague Wyllie fell in similar fashion as Boland tore through the batting order.

Western Australia wicketkeeper Joel Curtis offered the only notable resistance for the hosts before becoming Boland’s sixth victim. Boland also impressed in the first innings with 2 for 27, capping a dominant match performance. The pacer’s stellar domestic form follows his 20 wickets in five Tests during the recent Ashes series for Australia, and he now has 22 wickets from four Shield appearances this season.

Victoria’s Sam Harper was named player of the match after a superb all-round display. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 119 and an unbeaten 141 while opening the innings and claimed six catches across the match.

The heavy defeat compounds a difficult campaign for Western Australia, who remain rooted to the bottom of the standings.

Victoria will complete their regular season with matches against Tasmania away and South Australia at home before returning to Melbourne for the Shield final, aiming to cap a dominant season with the title.