Mitchell Marsh leads Western Australia’s charge for victory

The Western Warriors are well placed to push for outright points after an eventful second day of their Bupa Sheffield Shield clash against Tasmania at Blundstone Arena on Monday.

 

Domestic FixturesOn a day which saw 15 wickets fall, WA claimed first innings points after a devastating early spell from the Warriors attack saw the Tigers knocked over for 196, before WA concluded the day at 5-115 to hold an 177-run overall lead.

 

Mitch Marsh, who was the pick of the bowlers for WA with 4-19, is unbeaten at the crease on 40no, alongside Sam Whiteman (15no).

 

Tasmania resumed at 0-7 after WA were bowled out for 258 on day one, but Ryan Duffield did the early damage, taking three quick wickets as part of an early onslaught which reduced the Tigers to 7-41.

 

Evan Gulbis (80) and Luke Butterworth (72) hit back with an aggressive 145-run eighth-wicket stand before Mitch Marsh finished the job to secure first innings points for WA.

 

WA lost wickets early in the second innings, but Mitch Marsh rallied alongside debutant Ashton Turner to steady the ship.

 

Earlier, Duffield dismissed both Jordan Silk and Ed Cowan in consecutive balls in the opening over of the day in a sign of things to come.

 

Michael Hogan had Mark Cosgrove caught by Cameron Bancroft in the slips, before Duffield had his third, trapping Ben Dunk LBW to have the Tigers 4-29.

 

Debutant Simon Mackin got rid of Tigers skipper Tim Paine for 12, caught at first slip by WA captain Adam Voges.

 

Marsh dismissed Alex Doolan and Xavier Doherty in quick succession to remarkably have Tasmania languishing at 7-41.

 

Gulbis and Butterworth launched a blistering counter-attack which threatened WA’s grip on first innings points, with the pair finding the boundary rope with ease.

 

However, Marsh broke the partnership with Butterworth caught by Voges for 72 and there was little resistance after his departure with Tasmania eventually all out for 196, trailing by 62 runs.

 

Marsh finished with 4-19 from seven overs, while Duffield (3-55), Hogan (2-39) and Mackin (1-50) all played their part.

 

In reply, WA equally found the conditions tough to handle, with Sam Rainbird dismissing openers Luke Towers and Bancroft, as well as No.3 Shaun Marsh early to have the Warriors 3-23.

 

Voges was caught behind off Andrew Fekete for 11 to have WA alarmingly placed at 4-32 but Mitch Marsh and Turner steadied the ship with a 50-run stand.

 

Turner departed late in the day, stumped down leg side off part-timer Cosgrove for 30, before Marsh and Whiteman took WA through to stumps well placed.

 

Western Warriors 258 & 5-115 (M. Marsh 40no, Turner 30; Rainbird 3-32) v Tasmania 196 (Gulbis 80, Butterworth 76; M. Marsh 4-19, Duffield 3-55)

 

James Buttler

James has been working as a journalist and broadcaster in cricket since 2006 and was an avid fan for many years before that.
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author, a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications and a complete cricket badger!

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