Sheffield Shield final: WA make three changes, bowl first against Victoria who bring back Todd Murphy

Western Australia have made bowling three changes for the Sheffield Shield final clash at the WACA Ground against Victoria, who picked Test off-spinner Todd Murphy ahead of veteran Jon Holland.

The reigning champions have brought back in a trio of pace weapons, headlined by Lance Morris, who returns from Australian Test duties.

Joining the tearaway are left-armer Joel Paris, who’s recovered from back soreness, and seamer Matthew Kelly, who rested during last week’s loss to the Vics.

Former Queenslander Cameron Gannon was the unlucky player dropped, while David Moody (finger) and Charlie Stobo (quad) are out injured.

WA captain Sam Whiteman won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Retired WA champion Shaun Marsh, who lifted the shield as skipper last summer, flipped the coin in a nice gesture.

Murphy and skipper Peter Handscomb boost the Vics’ chances of knocking off the reigning champions, with both back from the recently-concluded Test series against India.

Opener Travis Dean, who appeared to suffer a shoulder injury at training on Wednesday afternoon, and Holland are the two outs.

Holland bowled brilliantly in the first innings especially last week, but will make way for Murphy who hasn’t played at the WACA Ground before.

Ash Chandrasinghe will open the batting with former West Aussie Marcus Harris.

The match starts at 10am.

Teams

WA: Sam Whiteman (captain), Cameron Bancroft, Teague Wyllie, Hilton Cartwright, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner, Josh Philippe (wk), Joel Paris, Matt Kelly, Corey Rocchiccioli, Lance Morris.

Victoria: Marcus Harris, Ash Chandrasinghe, Campbell Kellaway, Peter Handscomb (captain), Matthew Short, Will Sutherland, Sam Harper (wk), Fergus O’Neill, Todd Murphy, Scott Boland, Mitch Perry.