Injured Fanning seals epic WA win in Sheffield Shield
Sam Fanning battled a torn hamstring to score the winning runs as Western Australia completed a thrilling comeback win over Queensland in the Sheffield Shield.
Western Australia batter Sam Fanning has defied a serious hamstring injury to literally limp his way to victory in a thrilling clash with Queensland. Fanning, who suffered a suspected torn hamstring in the field on Day 3, wasn’t expected to bat as the Warriors chased 201 for victory after quick Jhye Richardson sent an emphatic message to selectors with a rapid five-wicket haul.
Duty called for the opener on the final day at the WACA after Bulls quick Xavier Bartlett took three early wickets, including Joel Paris and Jhye Richardson on successive balls, to leave the hosts eight down and still 40 runs adrift. Batting at No.10, Fanning limped to the middle to join captain Aaron Hardie and produced nearly two hours’ worth of defiance.
Barely able to run, the 25-year-old shuffled from end to end to tick the runs off, hitting two boundaries in his 82-ball 14 before securing the winning runs as he worked Bartlett through mid-wicket. A delighted Fanning embraced Hardie, who finished unbeaten on 80, as the Warriors celebrated an unlikely triumph.
The victory would not have been possible without Richardson, who took 5/19 in just 55 balls to bowl Queensland out for just 68 in their second innings. Meanwhile, South Australia began their Sheffield Shield title defence in brutal fashion by thrashing Victoria by an innings at the Junction Oval.