Paris tears through Tigers before strong fightback

16 Feb 2024 Oliver Caffrey (AAP)

Match Report

16 Feb 2024 Oliver Caffrey (AAP)

Momentum swung both ways on the opening day of this crucial first v third Sheffield Shield encounter

Tasmania v Western Australia | Sheffield Shield | Day 1

Reigning champions Western Australia have fought back to trail ladder leaders Tasmania by 65 runs with six wickets in hand after a dramatic first day of their Sheffield Shield match in Hobart.

After routing Tasmania for 183 in 49 overs, WA stumbled to 3-28 before reaching stumps on 4-118.

WA captain Sam Whiteman's decision to bowl first on a tricky Blundstone Arena paid dividends as the visitors tore through the Tigers' top-order.

After losing opener Tim Ward on the first ball of the match, Tasmania's day didn't get much better.

Paris runs through Tigers top four

It could still have been worse for the Tigers, who were reeling at 3-19 and 6-90.

But an accomplished 63 from Bradley Hope, who grew up in WA, and captain Jordan Silk (55) pushed them to a more competitive score.

WA quick Joel Paris, who started the carnage with the dismissal of Ward, was the pick of the bowlers with 4-48.

Tasmania's batters tried to go after Cameron Gannon but he finished with 3-49 from eight overs.

Like the Tigers, WA found themselves in early trouble with the bat as snubbed Test hopeful Cameron Bancroft fell for two in the third over.

The visitors top order collapsed, with Tasmanian debutant Kieran Elliott snaring the wicket of Test No.4 Cameron Green.

Hope plays fighting 63 to lead Tigers to respectable total

But No.3 Jayden Goodwin (53 no) and veteran allrounder Hilton Cartwright (22 no) helped steady the innings, taking WA to 4-118 at stumps.

WA will resume their innings on Saturday hoping they can the ruin the Tigers' prospects of hosting the Shield final.

The Tigers sit top of the table with three games to be completed, while WA are third having had an inconsistent title defence so far.

Sheffield Shield 2023-24 standings

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Drawn D	Batting Bonus Bat	Bowling Bonus Bowl	Total points PTS
1 Western Australia Men WA	10	5	2	3	5.53	9.4	47.93
2 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	10	5	2	3	6.06	8.3	47.36
3 NSW Men NSW	10	4	3	3	6.31	9	42.31
4 Victoria Men VIC	10	4	4	2	4.74	8.2	38.94
5 South Australia Men SA	10	3	6	1	5.19	9.3	33.49
6 Queensland Bulls QLD	10	2	6	2	3.54	8.3	25.84

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

D: Drawn

N/R: No results

Ded.: Deductions

Bat: Batting Bonus

Bowl: Bowling Bonus

PTS: Total points