Bunbury batter Sam Whiteman left out as Western Australia defeat Victoria in Melbourne to book final spot

Western Australia will play for another Marsh One Day Cup title on Friday, but are expected to do so without Bunbury batter Sam Whiteman. Whiteman, who captained the side for several games as recently as last season, was left out of the side that defeated Victoria comfortably at the Junction Oval on Tuesday. He missed out on his preferred opening spot in favour of Josh Phillipe and D’Arcy Short, instead named as the team’s 13th man. The 29-year-old former Colts Cricket Club player has scored 89 runs from his three matches this season — 79 of those coming in a game against Tasmania in November. It comes after the former gloveman had a tumultuous Big Bash League season, named as a replacement player for the Sydney Thunder, but managing only three games. He was then struck down by COVID-19 on the day of the Thunder’s blockbuster New Year’s Eve clash and didn’t feature for them again, eventually being placed back in the player replacement pool. The State side resumed their One Day Cup campaign with the victory over Victoria, which saw Short blast a quick-fire 54 off 49 balls to help them past the home side’s total of 143. They will now face second-place finisher New South Wales, who finished the season with just two wins and four abandoned matches, in Melbourne. All other States have resumed their Sheffield Shield campaigns, but WA’s next appearance in the four-day competition will come on Tuesday, when they face the Blues in Sydney. Whiteman is a strong chance to feature in that match, while fellow Colts product Jayden Goodwin will also be in the frame after playing the State’s past two Shield games.