WACA vs SACA Fantasy Prediction, 1st Match: Western Australia vs South Australia Fantasy Team, Playing XI, Pitch Report, Perth

This opens the new season, and both states have fresh leadership. Ashton Turner captains Western Australia under new head coach Beau Casson. Nathan McSweeney leads South Australia after a strong county stint in England, taking over the one day captaincy for the Redbacks. Western Australia have won three of their last five, South Australia just two. With the WACA vs SACA Fantasy Team in focus, these recent results and the change in leadership will be important factors to consider before making fantasy selections.

WACA vs SACA Match Details

Match: Western Australia vs South Australia
Match Number: 1st Match
Tournament: Australia Domestic One Day Cup 2026-27
Date: Friday, 18 September 2026
Time: 6:00 AM (Local Time)
Venue: Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth
Live Streaming: Crex and FanCode

Squads Confirmed via Official Team Announcements

Both states named their squads for this exact fixture through their official channels on 17 September. Western Australia named a 14 player group for their opening two matches, this one and the following fixture against Tasmania. One name worth flagging: quick Lance Morris is not in that group. He is returning from back surgery and was already managing a side strain, so he will sit out these first two games before an expected return.

South Australia’s published list is their contracted playing group for the season, not the specific matchday squad. Three names in that list, Travis Head, Alex Carey and Spencer Johnson, are all currently on national duty with Australia in their ODI series against Zimbabwe this same week. None of the three will be available for this match, and their absence should be assumed until the toss confirms the actual XI.

Recent Form

Western Australia have won three of their last five, all from the back end of last season, including high chases against Victoria and a tight finish over Tasmania. Their two losses in that stretch came against Victoria and New South Wales.

South Australia have won two of their last five. Their form dipped towards the end of last season, losing three in a row to Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania, though they did beat Queensland and Victoria earlier in that run.

WACA vs SACA Head to Head Record

Western Australia lead the head to head 8-2 over the last 10 meetings. They won the most recent match, defending 298 to beat South Australia by 66 runs.

WACA vs SACA Squads

Western Australia: Ashton Turner captains the side. Cameron Bancroft keeps wicket, and Hilton Cartwright and Kieran Elliott add allround depth. Brody Couch, Joel Curtis and Liam Haskett lead a bowling group built mostly around domestic seamers for this opener, with Lance Morris sidelined for now.

Full squad for this fixture: Ashton Turner (c), Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft (wk), Mahli Beardman, Hilton Cartwright, Brody Couch, Joel Curtis, Kieran Elliott, Albert Esterhuysen, Sam Fanning, Jayden Goodwin, Liam Haskett, Will Malajczuk, Jordan Quiggin.

South Australia: Nathan McSweeney captains the side. With Travis Head, Alex Carey and Spencer Johnson all unavailable due to Australia duty in Zimbabwe, Jason Sangha and Jake Weatherald become the most experienced batters actually available, and Lloyd Pope becomes the most experienced bowling option.

Full contracted squad: Nathan McSweeney (c), Wes Agar, Jordan Buckingham, Alex Carey (wk), Daniel Drew, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matthew Gilkes, Mackenzie Harvey, Travis Head, Henry Hunt, Hanno Jacobs, Spencer Johnson, Jake Lehmann, Nathan McAndrew, Ben Manenti, Harry Nielsen, Lloyd Pope, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Campbell Thompson, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald, Brendan Doggett. Head, Carey and Johnson are all unavailable for this specific match.

Pitch Report

Specific pitch data for this venue in the current season was not available. Historically both sides have posted big totals here, with an average score around 235 for Western Australia and 216 for South Australia across their last 10 matches against all opponents.

Weather Report

Specific forecast figures were not available for this match. Check conditions closer to the toss for an updated picture.

Probable Playing XIs

Western Australia (Probable): Sam Fanning, Jayden Goodwin, Ashton Turner (c), Hilton Cartwright, Cameron Bancroft (wk), Kieran Elliott, Will Malajczuk, Mahli Beardman, Brody Couch, Joel Curtis, Liam Haskett.

South Australia (Probable): Jake Weatherald, Jason Sangha, Nathan McSweeney (c), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Jake Lehmann, Mackenzie Harvey, Harry Nielsen (wk), Ben Manenti, Lloyd Pope, Wes Agar, Henry Thornton.

These are estimates, built from the players actually available once Head, Carey and Johnson are excluded. Final XIs are confirmed at the toss.

Key Player Battles

Jason Sangha vs Western Australia’s new ball: With the state’s biggest names on Australia duty, Sangha becomes South Australia’s most important available batter.

Wes Agar vs Western Australia’s top order: With Spencer Johnson unavailable, Agar’s pace gives South Australia their most direct route to an early breakthrough.

Ashton Turner vs South Australia’s bowling: Turner leads a rebuilt Western Australia side in his first match as permanent captain and will want to set the standard himself.

WACA vs SACA Fantasy Team

Wicketkeepers: Cameron Bancroft

Batters: Ashton Turner, Hilton Cartwright, Jake Weatherald, Jake Fraser-McGurk

All-Rounders: Jason Sangha (C), Nathan McSweeney (VC), Kieran Elliott, Ben Manenti

Bowlers: Lloyd Pope, Wes Agar

Sangha is captain as South Australia’s most experienced batter among those actually available this week. McSweeney is vice captain as South Australia’s new one day captain, returning off a strong county season.

Travis Head, Alex Carey and Spencer Johnson should not be picked for this match. All three are listed in South Australia’s contracted squad, but all three are currently playing for Australia against Zimbabwe.

Also Read- IND-W vs JAP-W Fantasy Prediction, 4th Quarter Final: India Women vs Japan Women Fantasy Team, Playing XI, Pitch Report, Nisshin

Match Prediction

South Australia’s squad on paper looks strong, but with Travis Head, Alex Carey and Spencer Johnson all away on Australia duty in Zimbabwe, their actual available group for this match is considerably weaker than the full contracted list suggests.

Western Australia have the head to head record on their side and a settled group even without Lance Morris available yet, and they will fancy their chances on home soil against a South Australia side missing three of its biggest names.

Given the players actually available, Western Australia look the better bet here, despite South Australia’s squad depth on paper.

WACA vs SACA Fantasy Team FAQs

Q. Who will win the WACA vs SACA 1st match today?
A. Western Australia look the better bet. South Australia’s squad list includes Travis Head, Alex Carey and Spencer Johnson, but all three are away on Australia duty in Zimbabwe, leaving South Australia without three of their biggest names for this match.

Q. What is the WACA vs SACA Fantasy prediction for the 1st match?
A. Jason Sangha is the top captaincy pick as South Australia’s most experienced available batter. Nathan McSweeney is a strong vice captaincy option.

Q. Are Travis Head, Alex Carey and Spencer Johnson playing in this match?
A. No. All three appear in South Australia’s wider contracted squad, but all three are currently on national duty with Australia against Zimbabwe and are not available for this fixture.

Q. Is Lance Morris playing for Western Australia?
A. No. He is returning from back surgery and managing a side strain, and will sit out the first two matches of the season before an expected return.

Q. Who captains Western Australia and South Australia this season?
A. Ashton Turner captains Western Australia under new head coach Beau Casson. Nathan McSweeney captains South Australia, returning off a strong county season with Northamptonshire.

Q. What is the head to head record between Western Australia and South Australia?
A. Western Australia lead 8-2 over the last 10 meetings, including a 66 run win in their most recent match.