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

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.

“It was a great knock and I’m sure it was something he’ll never forget.”

WA have moved back to the top of their shield ladder by taking their share of points from the result, and Queensland wrapping up a comprehensive 10-wicket win over Tasmania at the Gabba earlier on Saturday means they are the competition’s only side which has not yet suffered defeat this season.

Only 16 wickets fell across the course of their clash with Victoria, which was at times interrupted by inclement weather in its final two days.

The placid nature of the surface was shown by Victoria nightwatchman Todd Murphy making a determined 63 after being promoted to see out the final two overs of play on Friday.

The MCG’s pitch has come back under the microscope after last year’s Boxing Day Test lasted only two days, with excessive seam movement resulting in an “unsatisfactory” grade from the ICC. Casson said he believed it had offered enough for both batsman and bowlers.

“If there wasn’t any rain and moisture in the outfield, I think it would’ve changed a little bit, the result of the game and the tempo of how it ran,” he said.

“It was a good wicket. Clearly, the result didn’t follow that, but I think the (lack of) deterioration had a little bit to do with the weather.”