Silk makes WA toil after Morris' early burst

Jordan Silk is on the verge of his 11th first-class century after rescuing Tasmania from early trouble in their Marsh Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia at the WACA Ground.

The Tigers wobbled to 3-49 after winning the toss on Sunday, with Caleb Jewell (0), Tim Ward (15) and Charlie Wakim (29) falling before lunch.

But rescue missions from Silk (99no off 235 balls), Beau Webster (64) and Matthew Wade (51) lifted Tasmania to 6-281 by stumps on day one.

WA pace ace Lance Morris snared 2-45 from his 16 overs, while off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli returned 3-94, including the wicket of Brad Hope (11) in the last over of the day.

Silk was the mainstay, with his patient knock in 33-degree heat helping steady Tasmania following their early wobbles.

"To still be batting, I'm pleased with that," Silk said.

"At 3-49 there, you're umming and ahing about what you should have done at the toss.

"To 'Wadey' and Beau, they've been terrific to start the year. 

"The proactiveness of how they played, they came out and looked to score straight away (and) it just allowed me to keep my pace throughout the innings.

"They were two important partnerships."

Wade's entertaining knock was brought undone when he top edged Rocchiccioli.

Webster's hopes of a century were ended when he edged a fuller delivery from Morris.

It marked a steady return to red-ball cricket for Morris, who snared the wicket of Jewell caught behind with his first ball of the day.

Morris had his Ashes dreams crushed by a back injury but has regained full fitness and will be aiming to snare a Test debut this summer.

WA coach Adam Voges was pleased with his bowlers' efforts on a pitch that looked batter-friendly.

"A pretty attritional day. Maybe a WACA wicket we haven't seen here over the last couple of years," Voges said.

"Certainly, a lot flatter than perhaps what we've had, certainly day one.

"We might have to keep getting creative to take 20 wickets in this game."

Sheffield Shield 2023-24 standings

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Drawn D	No results N/R	Deductions Ded.	Batting Bonus Bat	Bowling Bonus Bowl	Total points PTS
1 Western Australia Men WA	10	5	2	3	0	0	5.53	9.4	47.93
2 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	10	5	2	3	0	0	6.06	8.3	47.36
3 NSW Men NSW	10	4	3	3	0	0	6.31	9	42.31
4 Victoria Men VIC	10	4	4	2	0	0	4.74	8.2	38.94
5 South Australia Men SA	10	3	6	1	0	0	5.19	9.3	33.49
6 Queensland Bulls QLD	10	2	6	2	0	0	3.54	8.3	25.84

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

D: Drawn

N/R: No results

Ded.: Deductions

Bat: Batting Bonus

Bowl: Bowling Bonus

PTS: Total points