WA side featuring Bunbury’s Sam Whiteman and Jayden Goodwin miss Sheffield Shield final after defeat

A WA side featuring Bunbury products Sam Whiteman and Jayden Goodwin will not have a chance to go for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Sheffield Shield title after losing their final game of the season to Victoria at the WACA Ground on Tuesday.

Set a massive target of 381 on the final day, the hosts made a good fist of the chase before eventually being bowled out for 347, handing the visitors a 34-run win.

In their second innings, the side’s captain Whiteman was dismissed without scoring for the second time in the match, being caught at bat-pad off the bowling of veteran Peter Siddle.

Batting at No.3, Goodwin accelerated after a patient start to reach 46 from 67 deliveries before chipping a catch into the off side off the bowling of Test spinner Todd Murphy.

Whiteman has captained the side to their last two victories in the season decider while Goodwin featured in the 2024 triumph.

Speaking after the game, Whiteman said the team would reflect on the season as one of “missed opportunities”.

“I think losing a few games (at the WACA) has been disappointing because it’s been such a fortress the last three years,” he said.

“No doubt we’ll go back to the drawing board and look to keep getting better. It’s been a frustrating year, but I’m sure it’s not the end of a successful period for WA.”

Casting an eye forwards, Whiteman said his fellow Bunbury-raised batter would be a key part of the side’s future.

“I think someone like Jayden’s had a good year, represented Australia A,” he said.

“Sam Fanning’s been more consistent in shield cricket this year, Teague Wyllie’s in and around the squad as well. Those guys are definitely the nucleus for the future of WA batting.

“There are positives. Having said that, we’ve set a pretty high standard in the last few years. It hurts a bit at the moment.”