Bailey keeps Tasmania in the contest

A pair of wickets from Andrew Fekete late in the day gave Tasmania hope of victory in Perth, where Western Australia finished the third day at 2 for 27 in their chase of 256. The Tasmania captain George Bailey made 83 to help steer the Tigers to 286 in their second innings and give their bowlers something to defend, and with a day to play both sides had a good chance of taking the points.

Tasmania resumed on 2 for 78 and it took some time for Western Australia to make another breakthrough as Bailey and Ed Cowan put on 136 for the third wicket. Cowan eventually fell to the part-time offspin of Marcus North for 59 and in the next over Bailey followed, caught behind off Mitchell Marsh to spark a mini-collapse as Tasmania lost 6 for 36.

However, Ben Hilfenhaus (29) and Sam Rainbird (32) provided invaluable tail-end runs that helped Tasmania up to the best total of the match so far before Rainbird was the last man out, giving Marsh figures of 4 for 35. Chasing 256, the Warriors lost Cameron Bancroft lbw to Fekete for 10 and nightwatchman Michael Beer for 4, leaving them relying on North on 12 and Marcus Harris on 1.