WA to host Shield final after thumping Victoria by an innings

Western Australia secured hosting rights for the Sheffield Shield final for the first time in 24 years after hammering Victoria inside three days at the WACA.

The hosts quickly completed an innings and 51-run triumph on Friday, courtesy of four wickets from Lance Morris and three from Joel Paris, and in the process finished in top spot on the Shield table ahead of the decider starting next Thursday. The final will be a rematch of this week's contest, with Victoria finishing in second spot despite the loss after New South Wales failed to accrue enough bonus points to surpass Victoria even if they beat South Australia.

Victoria will need to lift in all areas of the game to challenge WA after being rolled for 114 and 172, while the hosts looked far more assured at the crease posting 337.

Victoria resumed day three at 5 for 82 - still needing 141 runs to even make WA bat again - although they found stability from Matt Short (35), while Sam Harper made a particularly patient 17 off 109 balls before he nicked Morris through to the keeper. They made it to lunch but their resistance would end quickly after, with Morris and Paris doing the damage.

WA's Hilton Cartwright earned player of the match honours for his 109 that steered his side to the strong total.

He was well helped by opener Sam Whiteman's 63, while nightwatchman Matthew Kelly looked the goods up the order blasting 41 off 51 balls.

Victoria will also hope they can find more from luckless Test batter Will Pucovski, who made 22 and 11 on his return from his latest concussion.

WA and Victoria last met in a Shield final in 2014-15 at a neutral venue in Hobart, which was the last final WA played in. WA haven't hosted a final since 1997-98 or won a Sheffield Shield since 1998-99.