WA offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli takes 5 for 62 to bowl NSW out for 232, strengthening his case as Australia’s next Test spinner

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Western Australia offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli strengthened his push for a place in Australia’s Test side with an impressive five-wicket haul in the final round of the Sheffield Shield against New South Wales.

Rocchiccioli produced a brilliant spell of 5 for 62 on Saturday to help dismiss NSW for 232 at Sydney’s Cricket Central. In reply, Western Australia finished day one on 33 for 1, although both teams are already out of contention for the Shield final.

The 28-year-old has been one of the standout spinners in the Sheffield Shield this season. After being overlooked for the Ashes squad when Nathan Lyon suffered an injury, Rocchiccioli has responded with consistent performances. He now has 36 wickets at an average of 26.27 this summer, making him the leading spinner in the competition.

During his five-wicket spell, Rocchiccioli removed the two top scorers for NSW. Matthew Gilkes made 51 before falling to the offspinner, while Josh Philippe was dismissed for 52 after being beaten in flight and caught at long-off.

Rocchiccioli also claimed the wicket of opener Will Salzman for 9 with a sharp caught-and-bowled effort. Lachlan Shaw was dismissed for 22 thanks to a quick reflex catch from Cameron Bancroft at short leg.

Fast bowler Albert Esterhuysen also played an important role for Western Australia. The seamer took 2 for 44 in just his second Sheffield Shield match, following his impressive debut figures of 4 for 37 against Queensland last week.

Esterhuysen dismissed Joel Davies for eight with a neat low return catch and earlier removed opener Sam Konstas for 38. Konstas’ dismissal extended a difficult run for the batter, marking his tenth consecutive score below 50 across all formats since the end of the Big Bash.

With another strong performance in the Sheffield Shield, Rocchiccioli has further strengthened his case to be considered as Australia’s next Test spinner, especially with the team scheduled to tour spin-friendly India early next year.