Sheffield Shield: Corey Wasley’s work ethic credited by Western Australia coach Beau Casson after fine century

Detailed summary

Emerging Western Australia batsman Corey Wasley’s breakout Sheffield Shield performance has been credited by his coach Beau Casson to one key factor.

Emerging Western Australia batsman Corey Wasley’s breakout Sheffield Shield performance has been credited by his coach Beau Casson to an improved work ethic.

A brilliant 179 not out compiled by the 21-year-old across the second and third days of his third first-class match was the highlight of WA’s clash with Victoria at the MCG, which ended in a dour draw on Saturday.

The left-hander entered the fray at No.5 with his side situated at 3-84 in response to their hosts’ first-innings total of 5d-402 and went on to repel their bowlers for 337 deliveries, all but ensuring they would keep an unbeaten start to the season alive.

On 84 when No.7 Ashton Agar (21) departed with WA still 140 runs in arrears, he went well past his three-figure milestone as Corey Rocchiccioli (28 from 101 balls) and Liam Haskett (19 from 103) provided some lower-order resistance.

A prolific run-scorer at local, State and international underage level, Wasley has had to wait until his third year on WA’s rookie list to break through for his red and white-ball debuts for the State.

Casson said he was “very proud” to see the hard work Wasley — the son of former WA and Tasmania player Mark — had put in over recent years pay off in fine style.

“We definitely know he’s a very good player, Corey. He’s got a lot of talent,” Casson said.

“Over the last three years or four years in the program, that talent has been equalling his work ethic. He’s changed his whole physical make-up, in terms of the athlete he is, so it’s nice reward that he’s got from this game.

“To be able to do it for over 300 balls, that’s what we were most impressed with. As we know, there’s a lot of white-ball cricket out there, but for the cricket purists — and I’m one of them — it was lovely to see him bat for such a long period of time.

Opening of the article, excerpted from The West Australian. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.