Coulter-Nile seals last-gasp victory

Western Australia ended a two-year wait for a Shield victory in thrilling fashion when Nathan Coulter-Nile claimed the final South Australia wicket with the penultimate ball of the match. It gave Coulter-Nile four scalps while Michael Hogan bagged three in a collective effort from the attack, but Graham Manou and the tail almost secured the visitors a draw

Western Australia declared at their overnight score of 9 for 324, leaving South Australia a tough target of 378. James Smith and Daniel Harris began in steady fashion, adding 45, before Hogan intervened. One wicket led to another, as Michael Klinger departed two balls after Harris, leaving his side in trouble.

Aiden Blizzard added 38 runs with Smith before Coulter-Nile struck for the first time in the day. Within the space of two overs the visitors had lost their top order as Aaron O'Brien and Daniel Christian fell for ducks. Smith's dismissal for 65 suggested an early finish to proceedings.

However, Manou resisted with a gutsy innings and found stubborn support from the lower order. Rob Cassell (4) faced 55 deliveries until he was lbw to Michael Beer and Manou was caught behind with 10 overs remaining. Jake Haberfield and Peter George, who has a first-class average of three, almost denied Western Australia the outright victory but George edged into the slips in the dying moments.

The defeat pushed them to the bottom of the table, while the hosts are level on 14 points with Victoria and Queensland.