Weibgen century helps Queensland to One-Day Cup win over WA

Former Australia Under-19 captain Hugh Weibgen continued his sensational rise in domestic cricket, striking a brilliant second One-Day Cup century of the season to guide Queensland to a tense 15-run victory over Western Australia at the WACA Ground. The 21-year-old opener anchored Queensland’s total of 261 before the Bulls' bowling attack held their nerve to dismiss Western Australia for 246, handing the visitors their first win of the campaign while leaving WA winless at the bottom of the ladder. Weibgen and Burdon Lead the Recovery After being sent in to bat by WA skipper Ashton Turner, Queensland endured a nightmare start, tumbling to 37 for 2 early on. Jack Clayton edged behind for a duck in the second over, and Angus Lovell was trapped lbw by Kieran Elliott shortly after. Unfazed by the early top-order collapse, Weibgen teamed up with Hugo Burdon to mount an aggressive counter-attack. The pair shared a dominant 112-run partnership for the third wicket to put the Bulls back in command: Hugo Burdon scored a rapid 67 off just 49 balls, striking seven fours and four sixes to shift the pressure back onto the WA attack. Hugh Weibgen compiled a masterclass 103 off 89 balls, embellished with 12 boundaries and two towering sixes. Burdon fell in the 19th over to steady-hand spinner Esterhuysen, who struck again four balls later to remove Max Bryant for a duck. However, Weibgen batted on with composure, backing up the 125 he scored against New South Wales last month. Following his dismissal at 210 for 6 to Brody Couch, Queensland’s lower order chipped in with valuable late runs to stretch the final total to 261 all out in 45.2 overs. For Western Australia, pacer Brody Couch (3-48) and Kieran Elliott (3-57) were the primary wicket-takers. WA's Chase Stumbles Despite Turner's Heroics Western Australia began their run chase on a solid footing. Opener Mitch Marsh provided early fireworks with a quickfire 36 off 27 balls before falling lbw to Tom Whitney. Joel Curtis (63 off 76 balls) and Sam Whiteman (40) then put together a comfortable 91-run stand for the second wicket, setting up a solid foundation for the home side. However, the tide turned dramatically when seamer Hayden Kerr (3-31) and Tom Whitney (2-41) broke the Partnership. WA suffered a disastrous middle-order collapse: Joel Curtis, Sam Whiteman, Will Malajczuk, Hilton Cartwright, and Ashton Agar all fell in quick succession. Two costly run-outs reduced WA from a comfortable position to a precarious 180 for 6. A Tense Grandstand Finish With 82 runs required off 19 overs, Western Australia captain Ashton Turner stepped up to play a captain's knock. He steadied the ship alongside Kieran Elliott (15), sharing a 38-run stand. But just as WA threatened to steal the game, Queensland tore through the lower order—taking three wickets for just two runs in the space of 14 balls. Left stranded with No. 11 Jordan Quiggan and 42 runs still needed, Turner launched a thrilling late assault: Turner brought up his fifty off 51 balls, smashing 26 runs off an 11-ball stretch that included a huge six off Mitch Swepson. Just as an improbable comeback win seemed within reach, the Queensland skipper broke WA hearts, getting Turner out for 58 to bowl out Western Australia for 246 in 44 overs. Match Summary Queensland: 261 all out in 45.2 overs (Hugh Weibgen 103, Hugo Burdon 67; Brody Couch 3-48, Kieran Elliott 3-57) Western Australia: 246 all out in 44 overs (Joel Curtis 63, Ashton Turner 58; Hayden Kerr 3-31, Tom Whitney 2-41) Result: Queensland won by 15 runs.