Warriors edge closer towards first points of season

Western Australia are within reach of securing their first points of the season after the second day of the Pura Cup match against Tasmania at the WACA Ground in Perth.

Bowled out for 405 the Warriors faithful then watched Tasmania make a blistering start only to surrender badly losing five wickets in the last hour.

The Warriors made the worst possible start to the rain affected day, losing two early wickets to again be on the back foot. Ryan Campbell (80) was the first to go, run out by Darren McNees in a huge mix-up with partner David Bandy (21), who followed three overs later bowled by Adam Griffith.

Beau Casson and Brett Dorey ensured the home side made it to lunch without any further loss of wickets. At the break Western Australia were 7 for 344, with the eighth-wicket stand going on afterwards to reach 51 before Dorey handed Griffith his fourth wicket.

The tail wagged long enough for Dorey (27), Casson (32) and Matthew Inness, with a career-best 29 not out, to each hit over the fence once while adding 82 valuable runs before spinner Shannon Tubb trapped Ben Edmondson on the pads for just two.

Griffith finished with the best figures of 4/118, while Tubb (3/53) and Kremerskothen (2/61) were the other wicket-takers.

Tasmania made a great start in pursuit of first innings points. Captain Michael Di Venuto had the run rate hovering at more than five-runs per over inside the first 20. A change of bowling however saw a change in the fortunes for both teams with Edmondson snaring two quick wickets, including the key of Di Venuto (78) caught behind by Campbell.

First wicket to fall was that of Dawson (19), who played into the waiting hands of Marcus North at first slip with Di Venuto following two overs later. The Tigers slump continued as Dorey got amongst the wickets with Travis Birt (11), and Sean Clingeleffer just before umpires offered bad light to the batsmen.

Michael Bevan returned to domestic cricket, after a knee injury over the off-season, and posted 17 runs before Bandy struck. The wheels had rightfully fallen off the run chase as Tasmania went from a comfortable 0/90 to be 5/145 at stumps.

Dorey and Edmondson finished the day with two wickets each, while Bandy nabbed just the solitary one.

When play resumes tomorrow morning George Bailey (9no) and Scott Kremerskothen (2no) will attempt to get Tasmania past the follow-on target of 246, while the Warriors will be keen to wrap up the tail and possibly make the Tigers bat again.

Full scorecard available here.

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