Tigers start strongly against Western Warriors

Tasmania has defied the overcast conditions and made a strong start to their four-day Pura Cup match against Western Australia in Perth.

Bad light ended play early with Tasmania 3 for 306. Tim Paine led the way for the Tigers and was unbeaten on 119, while Michael Bevan shelved any concerns old age might daunt him with a scintillating knock of 83 off 87 balls.

George Bailey was relatively new to the crease and, as such, only had four on the board.

Paceman Sean Ervine was the best of the Warriors bowlers with 2-35. Spinner Aaron Heal the other wicket taker on a dark day for the home side, one they would have been expecting more value from given the gloomy surroundings.

Buoyed by first up outright victory over Queensland, Tasmania came to the Western capital eager to continue their winning form against a fired up Warriors outfit. Last season Tasmania pinched an unlikely outright victory off the West Australians on the final day after conceding the first innings lead and points.

Both teams went into the clash as selected during the week with only the 12th men named this morning – Clint Heron for WA and Luke Butterworth for Tassie.

Tasmanian openers Michael Di Venuto and Tim Paine patiently fended off the Warriors bowling attack led by Brett Dorey and Steve Magoffin in the first hour.

Sean Ervine replaced Dorey and made the first breakthrough in his second over when he enticed Di Venuto (14) into hooking the ball straight to Aaron Heal at deep fine leg.

After the first hour, Tasmania was well placed at 1-49, Paine (17*) and Bevan (7*) consolidated after the fall of Di Venuto. Both batsmen provided the Warriors gully and slip fielders with two chances in the over, bowled by Edmondson, before the drinks break.

By lunch, the Tigers were in a strong position at 1-97 with Paine (37*) and Bevan (34*) resisting slashing at the ball and playing neatly timed shots to gather a mix of cheeky singles with the occasional boundary thrown in.

After lunch, Bevan raced past his half-century with two top edge slashes off Edmondson’s bowling that sailed over the fence behind keeper Luke Ronchi.

Paine joined Bevan in punishing the Warriors bowlers. The opener notched his fifty just before posting the Tigers 150. Bevan, dropped on five during the first session went on to 83 before edging the bowling of Ervine to the keeper.

Tasmania was 2-209 at the tea interval. After the break, Birt moved past fifty in the 68th over. He took to Magoffin’s bowling with three drives for four in the 64th over.

Warriors skipper Justin Langer was kept busy when Paine edged consecutive balls, in the 73rd over off North, just wide of his outstretched hand at first slip. The second of these saw him pass 100.

With the artificial light beginning to take effect, Birt nicked the ball through to the keeper. Play ended 32 minutes later with the Tigers well placed for a big first innings total.

Day two tomorrow gets underway half-hour earlier than normal at 10am local time.

Tasmania - First Innings
M DiVenuto c Heal b Ervine 14
T PAINE not out 119
M BEVAN c Ronchi b Ervine 83
T BIRT c Ronchi b Heal 71
G BAILEY not out 4

Extras (8b 3lb, 4nb) 15
Total: 3 wkts for 306

Fall: 32, 164, 286.

Bowling B Dorey 22.1-5-59-0, S Magoffin 15-2-61-0 (1nb), S Ervine 16-4-35-2 (1nb), B Edmondson 15-1-79-0 (2nb), A Heal 9-1-30-1, M North 10-2-31-0.

Batting time: 352 mins. Overs: 87.1.

Toss: Western Australia
Umpires: D Orchard, J Brookes.
Venue: WACA Ground, Perth
Attendance: 778.

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