Xavier Bartlett and Jhye Richardson claim five-wicket hauls in Shield clash
Xavier Bartlett and Jhye Richardson both took five-wicket hauls as Queensland and Western Australia traded momentum in their Shield opener.
Queensland's Xavier Bartlett and Western Australia's Jhye Richardson both claimed five-wicket hauls in a see-sawing Sheffield Shield match at the WACA Ground. Bartlett took six wickets in the first innings, including three in six balls during a middle-order collapse. Richardson returned his first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket since the 2021 Ashes.
Queensland posted 307, with Jimmy Peirson scoring an unbeaten 101 in his 100th first-class match. Western Australia replied with 158 for 8, Sam Fanning making 64. Queensland need five more wickets to win, while Western Australia require 67 more runs with a day remaining.
Richardson, who lost his Cricket Australia contract this year, said he felt he bowled better on day two without reward. Bartlett said the Queensland bowling group was developing well and everyone was chipping in with wickets.
CricHubb Take
Richardson is bowling with more zip after a year outside the CA system, and if he can sustain this through the Shield, the selectors face a straightforward question: does the experience that once earned him an Ashes call-up now outweigh the newer options they've blooded in his absence?