The final regular-season game of the 2025-26 Australian One-Day Cup at the WACA Ground is a critical one. Western Australia hosts Victoria in Perth, knowing they must win this match if they are to have any chance of reaching the final on March 11.
Tasmania has already sealed its spot as a finalist. WA sit fifth on the points table and need to win here to keep their hopes alive, but even a win may not be enough depending on other results.
For Victoria, who have had a difficult campaign, this is a chance to end the season on a positive note after their recent seven-wicket win over Queensland at the MCG. The WACA pitch will be fast and bouncy, the home crowd will be loud, and both sides will bring competitive cricket to the table.
Western Australia vs Victoria Match Preview
WA are captained by Ashton Turner in the One-Day Cup and go into this match with a strong record at the WACA Ground. Their big names include Cameron Bancroft, Sam Whiteman, Aaron Hardie, and a variety of capable pace bowlers. In their previous game against Tasmania, WA made seven changes to their squad, bringing in younger players like Will Malajczuk and Jordan Quiggin, which showed their intent to fight for a final spot. Victoria, captained by Peter Handscomb in the 50-over format, has been up and down this season. Their last match was a commanding seven-wicket win over Queensland, where Tom Rogers, Handscomb, and spinner Todd Murphy all starred. A second consecutive win would be a fine note to end the season on.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Western Australia vs Victoria, 21st Match, One-Day Cup 2025-26 |
| Date | Saturday, 21 February 2026 |
| Time | 10:00 AM AWST / 2:00 AM UTC / 7:30 AM IST (approx.) |
| Venue | WACA Ground, Perth, Western Australia |
| Series | Australian One-Day Cup 2025-26 |
| Context | WA need win to stay in final contention; VIC aiming to end season well |
Pitch Report
The WACA Ground is one of the most famous cricket venues in the world, known for its fast and bouncy pitch. The surface is among the quickest in Australia, giving pace bowlers extra zip off the pitch and through the air. Fast bowlers who hit a good length and maintain an attacking line can be genuinely dangerous here, especially early in the innings. Afternoon sea breezes off the Swan River add further air movement in the second half of the day. Batters who can handle genuine pace and rising deliveries tend to do well. The outfield is quick, which helps even defensive shots reach the boundary.
In domestic 50-over cricket at the WACA, scoring tends to be moderate to competitive. Teams batting first have won around half the matches, and first innings scores of 240-280 are common. Chasing sides benefit from knowing their target but face the same lively surface. Spinners have a limited role at this venue, with pace being the dominant mode of attack for both sides.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Fast, bouncy, strong early movement for pace bowlers |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 240–280 in domestic List A/ODC games at the WACA |
| Pace vs Spin | Pace strongly favoured; spin used mainly for containment |
| Toss Factor | Batting first gives a slight advantage at this venue |
| Boundary Size | Compact boundaries; quick outfield helps scoring |
Weather Report
Perth in late February is hot and dry. Summer temperatures at the WACA regularly exceed 30°C during the day, and the afternoon game will begin in warm conditions before potentially cooling slightly in the later overs. There is very little chance of rain, and the skies over Perth are generally clear during this time of year. The afternoon Fremantle Doctor, the sea breeze that arrives from the southwest, can begin to affect conditions from around 3-4 pm, creating air movement for swing bowlers and bringing relief from the heat. Overall, this should be a full 50-over contest with no weather disruptions.
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 30–35°C during the day; cools slightly in evening |
| Sky | Clear and sunny |
| Rain Chance | Very low |
| Humidity | Low |
| Overall | Ideal full-day conditions; Fremantle Doctor expected |
Toss Prediction
At the WACA Ground, batting first has been the preferred strategy in domestic one-day cricket, and teams that post a big total generally put pressure on the opposition. With the pitch at its best early and pace bowlers getting the most out of it, setting a target is a viable option. However, the sea breeze that arrives in the afternoon can also help swing bowlers later in the day, which means bowling second and taking advantage of a set target is also a credible choice. Ashton Turner, WA’s experienced captain, tends to be thoughtful with the toss. Expect the toss winner to bat first and look to put 260 or more on the board.
Injury Updates
Western Australia: WA made seven changes to their squad for the Tasmania game two weeks ago, bringing in several younger, less-experienced players to blood fresh talent while still fighting for a final spot. Aaron Hardie returned for that match after a successful BBL season with Perth Scorchers, where he was named in the Team of the Tournament, and he will again be a key all-round option.
Victoria: No Injury Concern.
Dream11 Team For Western Australia vs Victoria
Last Five One-Day Cup Meetings (WA vs VIC)
- West Aust won by 7 wickets (with 32 balls remaining) 02-Dec-2025
- Victoria won by 15 runs (DLS method) 13-Nov-2024
- West Aust won by 6 wickets (with 158 balls remaining) 09-Oct-2023
- West Aust won by 3 wickets (with 4 balls remaining) 22-Oct-2022
- West Aust won by 5 wickets (with 14 balls remaining) 25-Sep-2022
Top Picks For The Match
| Player | Team | Role | Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Hardie | WA | All-rounder | BBL Team of the Tournament; crucial middle-order batter and medium-pace option |
| Tom Rogers | VIC | All Rounder | 69 runs and a stunning one-handed catch vs QLD; in excellent form |
| Ashton Turner | WA | Batter (c) | 71* off 61 in last meeting vs VIC; aggressive captain who closes games out |
| Todd Murphy | VIC | Off-spin bowler | 3/29 off 10 overs vs QLD; key middle-overs weapon for Victoria |
| Peter Handscomb | VIC | WK-batter (c) | 90* off 107 vs QLD; consistent performer and calm head in the chase |
| Cameron Bancroft | WA | Opener | Experienced top-order batter; solid foundation for WA at the WACA |
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