Albany-product Bryce Jackson makes long-awaited debut for WA in Marsh Cup victory over Tasmania

Albany-raised paceman Bryce Jackson’s dream of playing for WA has been realised after making his long-awaited List-A debut for WA in their must-win Marsh Cup game against Tasmania on Wednesday. Jackson joined a pace attack of Scorchers star Andrew Tye, Cameron Gannon and fellow debutant Keaton Critchell as WA chased a win in Hobart to qualify for the one-day final. Making up the rest of the WA side was spinning all-rounder Ashton Agar, Scorchers 2023 title-winning hero Nick Hobson, Hilton Cartwright, Sam Whiteman, Cameron Bancroft, D’Arcy Short and Josh Philippe. Despite the WA XI boasting the talent and experience of Tye, Jackson was thrown the ball by skipper Whiteman to open the attack. However, the Collingwood Park product struggled with his rhythm early as Tigers’ openers Caleb Jewell and Jake Weatherald deposited him for 27 runs in his opening 11 deliveries. Jackson had the last laugh though, claiming the big wicket of Weatherald (24) on the final ball of his second over. He finished with three wickets as WA won by 52 runs to book their spot in the Marsh Cup final. Jackson had Charlie Wakim (68) brilliantly caught at cover by Bancroft and then finished by removing Beau Webster for 48, caught by Hobson. In his first domestic one-day game Jackson finished with impressive figures of 3-67 from nine overs while Agar also claimed 3-54. His debut was met with widespread support back home after recent back injuries had threatened to end his hopes of playing in the yellow and black. After spending the 2021-22 season as a WA rookie-listed player the fiery quick signed on as a WACA-contracted player in 2022 before missing the entire 2022-23 cricket season with crippling back injuries. The 24-year-old made his comeback to bowling earlier this season for Melville Cricket Club before returning to Albany for the Southern Smash T20 competition where he won the title with the Elders Avengers. Since then he has taken six wickets in five matches for his club in the WA Premier Cricket competition. WA plundered 320 runs in their batting innings led by a Short century as he and Bancroft (64) piled on 147 runs for the third wicket. Short finished with 127 runs from 121 balls including 15 fours and one six before being trapped in front by Paddy Dooley.