Western Australia endured a disastrous batting collapse, losing eight wickets for just one run in a One-Day Cup match against Tasmania at the Waca ground in Perth on Friday. The Warriors, featuring Australian internationals such as Cameron Bancroft, Ashton Agar, and Josh Inglis, were bowled out for a mere 53 runs in 20.1 overs. Beau Webster was the standout performer for Tasmania, taking 6-17 in six overs.

Adding to the humiliation, the solitary run scored during the collapse was a wide. This marked the second-lowest score in the competition's history, narrowly surpassing the 51 runs made by South Australia against Tasmania in Hobart in 2003. Tasmania swiftly chased down the modest target in just 8.3 overs, securing a seven-wicket victory and a crucial bonus point.

Western Australia's hopes of a fourth consecutive title now teeter on the edge, requiring victories against Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland in their remaining three games, along with favorable results from other matches, to secure a top-two spot and a place in the final in March. The Warriors were struggling at 2-52 in the 16th over before suffering one of the most catastrophic batting collapses in professional cricket history. In the span of 28 legal deliveries, WA lost eight wickets, with Webster and Billy Stanlake (3-12) wreaking havoc.

This meant WA went from 2-52 to all out for 53, with not a single run scored by the players batting at positions 5 through 11. "Probably a bit of shock as much as anything," said WA coach Adam Voges after the loss. "The boys are very disappointed in the sheds at the moment. A lot of people came to watch today, and we let them down." Voges acknowledged the team's mistakes, whether in execution or shot selection, and promised a thorough review.

Cameron Bancroft (14 off 29 balls) was the first to fall in the collapse, trapped lbw by Webster. Ash Turner also fell lbw to Webster three balls later, and Josh Inglis was bowled by a Stanlake delivery. Cooper Connolly, Hilton Cartwright, Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, and Joel Paris all posted ducks as WA's innings came to a crashing end. Warriors opener D'Arcy Short top-scored with 22, a bleak highlight for the three-time defending champions.

WA fell short of their previous lowest score, the 59 runs they made against Victoria at the MCG in 1969. Webster was the hero for Tasmania, claiming the early scalp of Short before initiating the collapse in a career-best performance. Stanlake was also highly effective, with his dismissal of Inglis among the highlights of the innings. The result marked Tasmania's first win of the season, following a loss and a no-result from their first two games.

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