PERTH, 19 February 2026 – Victoria has surged into a dominant position against Western Australia in their Sheffield Shield Match 24 clash at the WACA, with Sam Harper and Will Sutherland delivering career-defining performances. As of Thursday afternoon, the Victorians have set a massive target for the hosts, leaving Western Australia fighting to survive on the final day of play.
Match Summary: Victoria in Control at the WACA
The ongoing Sheffield Shield encounter has seen Victoria seize momentum through a series of high-scoring innings. After establishing a 188-run lead in the first innings, Victoria cruised to 4-274 in their second dig before declaring late on Wednesday. This set Western Australia a daunting target of 468 runs for victory.
The Victorian batting effort was headlined by Sam Harper, who followed up a strong first-innings showing with a blistering century in the second. Earlier in the match, captain Will Sutherland reached a personal milestone, scoring a career-best 101 not out—his second first-class ton—before declaring the first innings at 9-431.
Western Australia’s response has been anchored by Sam Fanning, who fell agonisingly short of a century, dismissed for 99 in the first innings. Joel Curtis also provided resistance with an unbeaten 26, but the WA top order has struggled against a disciplined Victorian attack led by Mitchell Perry and Scott Boland.
Key Performances and Statistics
The following table highlights the standout individual performances from the current Sheffield Shield and recent List A fixtures between the two states during the 2025/26 season.
| Player | Team | Achievement | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Harper | Victoria | Double Century & 2nd Innings Ton | Sheffield Shield |
| Will Sutherland | Victoria | 101* (Career Best) | Sheffield Shield |
| Sam Fanning | Western Australia | 99 Runs | Sheffield Shield |
| Chloe Ainsworth | Western Australia | Maiden Century | WNCL (Women’s) |
| Mitchell Perry | Victoria | Key Wickets (Bancroft/Whiteman) | Sheffield Shield |
Recent Form and Head-to-Head
While Victoria currently holds the upper hand in the red-ball arena, Western Australia recently tasted success in the limited-overs format. On 16 February 2026, Western Australia secured a 7-wicket victory over Victoria in the One-Day Cup, successfully chasing down Victoria’s total of 285. In that match, Victorian captain Matthew Short top-scored, but it wasn’t enough to stop a clinical WA outfit.
In the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL), the rivalry remains equally fierce. Just yesterday, 18 February, Western Australia Women sealed a thriller against Victoria Women, powered by a maiden century from Chloe Ainsworth.
Injury Update: Ollie Peake
There were moments of concern for the Victorian camp after young batter Ollie Peake suffered a frightening blow to the helmet while batting. However, latest reports from the ground confirm that Peake has cleared concussion protocols and is expected to take his place in the field as Victoria pushes for the final wickets required for a Shield victory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the target set by Victoria for Western Australia?
Victoria declared their second innings at 4-274, setting Western Australia a target of 468 runs to win the Sheffield Shield match at the WACA.
Who scored centuries for Victoria in this match?
Captain Will Sutherland scored an unbeaten 101 in the first innings, while Sam Harper recorded a century in the second innings to follow his massive first-innings contribution.
How did the most recent One-Day Cup match end?
Western Australia won the most recent One-Day Cup encounter (16 February 2026) by 7 wickets, chasing down Victoria’s 285.
Is Ollie Peake fit to play?
Yes, despite a head knock during his innings, Ollie Peake passed his concussion tests on Thursday morning and has been cleared to continue in the match.