Doran stands firm as rain halts Shield final rematch

A rain-hit opening day of the Sheffield Shield final rematch delivered few bright moments as Tasmania fought their way to 5-158 against Western Australia in Perth.

Leaden skies and several rain interruptions eventually gave way to an early finish, with Jake Doran posting an unbeaten half-century to hold the visitors' innings together.  

Tasmania were sent in to bat on an extremely green WACA Ground wicket but were resolute against the new ball, losing only Caleb Jewell (18) during the first hour.

It was off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli who did the damage with the wickets of Jake Weatherald (43) and captain Jordan Silk (1) just before lunch.

Rocchiccioli, last season's leading wicket-taker for Western Australia, immediately caused problems with some sharp turn and trademark bounce, ending the day with 2-41 from 16 overs.

Wicketkeeper-batter Doran remained defiant with a boundary-heavy knock of 59 not out from 78 balls.

Charlie Wakim (30) and the heavy-scoring Beau Webster (3) fell in quick succession to the bowling of Cameron Gannon (1-21) and Matthew Kelly (1-38) respectively during the middle session. 

Test allrounder Mitch Marsh wasn't required to bowl during the day's 53 overs, with the home side instead turning to the returning Aaron Hardie.

Allrounder Hardie came in for Jayden Goodwin to be the only change from the side that drew with Queensland at the WACA Ground in round one.

Tasmania lined up with two changes to their bowling attack, with Mitchell Owen and Riley Meredith coming in for Lawrence Neil-Smith and Gabe Bell who are being managed following opening-round draw against Victoria.

Sheffield Shield standings 2024-25

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	3	2	0	1	0	0	3.85	2.4	19.25
2 South Australia Men SA	3	2	0	1	0	0	2.64	3	18.64
3 Victoria Men VIC	3	1	1	1	0	0	2.54	2.4	11.94
4 Queensland Bulls QLD	3	0	1	2	0	0	2.84	2.6	7.44
5 NSW Men NSW	3	0	1	2	0	0	2.05	2.3	6.35
6 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	3	0	2	1	0	0	2.8	2.2	6

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