Blues blitz WA in Marsh Cup Final

A century from New South Wales batsman Jack Edwards was the cornerstone for his side's 102 run win over a disappointing Western Australian outfit in the Marsh Cup Final at Bankstown Oval on Sunday.

Edwards made 108 from 122 balls on a sluggish surface to set up New South Wales total of 8-251, more than enough runs for the Blues star bowling attack to defend as Western Australia were bowled out for 149 in the chase.

The home side won the toss and chose to bat first, openers Daniel Hughes and Matthew Gilkes making a fast start in reaching 43 without loss in the ninth over before Gilkes was run out for 28 in a mix up to give WA a breathrough.

Skipper Kurtis Patterson chopped on for one off the bowling of Liam Guthrie as the game began to change complexion, Mitchell Marsh with a superb caught and bowled moments later to dismiss Jason Sangha (3) as the Blues slumped to 3-50.

Hughes held firm with new man Edwards as they produced the defining partnership of the final, adding 118 runs for the fourth wicket to guide the New South Wales innings through the middle overs.

Hughes battled to fifty but fell to D'Arcy Short trying to accelerate the innings, stumped for 58 from 102 balls having struck just three boundaries.

Edwards guided the remainder of the innings to reach his second List A century, the 20 year old out in the final over of the innings for 108 from 122 deliveries as New South Wales set Western Australia 252 for victory.

Jason Behrendorff claimed 3-46 for WA while captain Marsh bowled tidily for 2-34 from nine overs, over to the batsmen to chase in their quest for consecutive 50 over titles.

Mitchell Starc struck in the opening over as he trapped Sam Whiteman in front first ball, wickets falling at regular intervals from there on in as the visitors struggled to cope with the lack of pace in the Bankstown surface.

Only Cameron Green could get past 30 with no partnership passing 50, Sean Abbott starring with four wickets while Nathan Lyon snared three and Starc two, Western Australia all out for 149.

Green made 36 and Josh Inglis 29 in a disappointing display from the visitors, who were without star top order batsman Shaun Marsh who was unavailable after a family bereavement.

Edwards was player of the match for his fine century, the Blues winning their 12th one day domestic title on a golden afternoon in Bankstown.

IMAGE: Cricket Australia.