Shaun Marsh's ton of class rescues Western Australia
Cameron Gannon, batting at No. 10, played his part with a maiden fifty
ESPNcricinfo staff
30-Oct-2020
Jackson Bird did the early damage • Getty Images
Tasmania 0 for 6 trail Western Australia 302 (Marsh 115, Gannon 58, Inglis 51, Ellis 4-76) by 296 runs
Shaun Marsh produced a magnificent century in testing conditions to rescue Western Australia on the opening day against Tasmania.
Marsh's innings - which included reaching his century with a six - lifted Western Australia from 5 for 64 in the opening session alongside important contributions from Josh Inglis, who started the recovery with a counterattacking half-century, Aaron Hardie and Cameron Gannon, the No. 10 who arrived at the crease when Marsh was on 66 and then hit a maiden first-class half-century.
The day after his first Australia call-up, Cameron Green could only manage 7 as he edged Jackson Bird to slip during a very fine opening spell in which Bird also removed both openers to leave Western Australia 3 for 23.
Cameron Bancroft was again caught at leg gully - a position he fell to with great regularity last season - although it was off a thick inside edge rather than the face of the bat.
In an action-packed pair of deliveries D'Arcy Short, recalled for this match in place of Ashton Turner, was bowled off a no-ball by Nathan Ellis but was then caught behind next delivery while Ashton Agar also fell before lunch - another victim for Beau Webster's developing medium pace.
Inglis responded with a stroke-filled response after the break to try and drag back the initiative and took advantage of some loose bowling from Ellis who did not sustain the pressure as well as Bird and Peter Siddle.
It was Siddle who broke through, having Inglis caught at second slip, but Hardie then accompanied Marsh in a seventh-wicket stand of 58. When Ellis improved his day by removing Hardie and Matt Kelly in the space three balls, Marsh knew it was the time to take the aggressive route and he was able to take Western Australia further than they probably dared to imagine.
Marsh took advantage of Matthew Wade's decision to keep bowling the left-arm spin of Tom Andrews before the new ball became available and Gannon also grew in confidence.
Shortly after Marsh was eventually removed by Siddle, who squeezed one through his defenses, Gannon went to his fifty with the first of two consecutive sixes off Siddle as Western Australia reached the heady heights of 300.