Western Australia vs South Australia: Liam O’Connor barely manages to survive against Chadd Sayers in Sheffield Shield cliffhanger

Liam O’Connor: The tail-ender from Western Australia batted to the best of his ability to draw a cliffhanger match in Perth.

During the 14th match of the ongoing season of the Sheffield Shield between Western Australia and South Australia in Perth, Western Australia lower-order batted to the best of its abilities to sneak a draw in a engrossing day of Test cricket.

It was a 121-run partnership between South Australian pair of Alex Carey (82*) and Harry Nielsen (67) in the morning session which put them in a safe position.

Chasing a 332-run target, the hosts lost wickets at regular intervals to the extent that they were on the verge of losing the match. Having lost half their side in the 31st over, Western Australia were left with a daunting task of batting for more than 40 overs to save the match.

Once Western Australia captain Shaun Marsh (45) departed in the 45th over, the visitors had a clear chance of cleaning up the tail which they did to a large extent. However, the likes of Hilton Cartwright (25), Cameron Gannon (13 not out) and O’Connor (0 not out) batted time successfully.

In the last over, it was left to O’Connor to face six Chadd Sayers deliveries. With close in-fielders surrounding him from all sides, the right-hand batsman let his defense do the talking to quash all hopes of a South Australian victory at the WACA.

While Sayers picked a solitary wicket, it was the South Australian pair of Daniel Worrall and David Grant who dismissed four opposition batsmen each to make inroads into their batting lineup.

Liam O’Connor barely manages to survive against Chadd Sayers

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