Western Australian Batsman Jayden Goodwin says he’s pleased to have opportunities to bat at three, after posting a solid score against Tasmania.
The reigning Shield Champions have extended their lead at the top of the ladder after smashing Tasmania on their home turf by 45 runs with an innings to spare.
Hilton Cartwright and Goodwin formed a crucial partnership that steered WA to a 143-run lead over Tasmania, before dismissing them for 98 runs on day four.
Goodwin made 94 runs batting at number three for WA, falling six runs short of a maiden Sheffield Shield ton, but it was Cartwright who took out the top score and player of the match for his brilliant 153 knock.
Reflecting on the match, Goodwin told SportFM says he’s embracing the experience of batting at number three.
“I think it’s good that I’ve kept getting opportunities at number three so I can get a bit of a routine going there and experience what it’s like to bat there,” he said.
“I’ve batted a bit everywhere in the WA team, but I think I just need to keep going on, keep giving myself a chance, getting a start and hopefully going on and getting some big scores.”
The match took until after tea on day four to be decided, with an outstanding bowling performance from Brody Couch being the deciding factor.
The 24-year old became the first bowler to take a hat trick for Western Australia’s in the Sheffield Shield ever, finishing 3/15 off 14 overs.
Couch took Jake Doran’s wicket first, getting him LBW, with Lawrence Neil-Smith and Kieran Elliot’s wickets – both bowled out, following within the next two balls in what was a match-defining over.
“We knew we were just so close, something just needed a break,” said Goodwin.
“We just needed one wicket really, and then we were into the proper tall enders. We just needed a break and then the opening, end opened, and just getting on a roll and that’s exactly what Brody did.
“He got Doran and out in the first over after and then obviously took the hat-trick and it just blew the game wide open and we were in the box seat to win.”
Reflecting on the match, Goodwinsaid the win was rewarding given the effort put in by the West Aussies to grind the win out.
“Any win after tea on day four is pretty amazing to be fair,” he said.
“You work so hard to obviously get a win in Shield cricket or even in I guess at the next level in Test cricket, if you win on day five it’s got to be an amazing feeling because you put so much effort in.
“It was just a pretty cool thing to happen, the hat trick from Brods which, it’s never happened before for WA, It’s pretty amazing.”
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