A fourth Marsh Sheffield Shield century from wicketkeeper Josh Inglis ensured Tasmania’s bid to send Western Australia into bat did not pay dividends on day one at Blundstone Arena.
Western Australia were bowled out minutes before stumps for 300, but Inglis held the innings together after the much-vaunted visitors’ order slumped to 4-110.
Inglis was the penultimate wicket to fall, caught behind by Jackson Bird for 116 from just 134 balls.
At stumps, Tasmania were 1-5 with Caleb Jewell (1) not surviving the three overs before the close.
Tasmania are one of four teams 1.25 points off second place and are gunning for a ticket to next month’s finals, with runaway leaders Western Australia in the seat to host the decider.
Tasmania’s aggressive approach paid early dividends with Shield top-scorer Cameron Bancroft falling victim to a superb catch by Tim Paine behind the stumps off Bird’s bowling for just one.
There were steady contributions from the top half of WA’s order from Sam Whiteman (40), Teague Wyllie (28) and Hilton Cartwright (56).
WA went to tea after a rain-affected middle session on a relatively precarious 5-184, but Inglis scored runs regularly until his late dismissal.
Never run with Jordan Silk’s arm 🔥#SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/JAoKhxZGB8
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 21, 2023
Veteran Bird returned the best figures for the home side with 4-51.