Di Venuto ton puts Tigers in box seat

PERTH, Dec 9 AAP - Dashing Tasmanian batsman Michael Di Venuto halted a form slump with a century to put the Tigers on the brink of their first Pura Cup points of the summer.

In reply to Western Australia's first innings total of 255, the Tigers crept to 4-253 at stumps on the second day at the WACA Ground with Scott Mason (37no) and Daniel Marsh (35no).

The 28-year-old Di Venuto had a life on 10 when Kade Harvey dropped him in the gully and he edged the ball in the air through a vacant second slip off quick Paul Wilson's bowling on 83.

He made the most of his opportunities for his first Pura Cup ton of the 2002/03 season in scoring 101 in 171 balls in just under four hours with 17 fours.

After resuming at 0-3, Di Venuto and captain Jamie Cox (22) moved the score along to 91 without loss before Cox's supporting role ended when he chopped a ball from medium-pacer Kade Harvey (2-59) back onto his stumps.

Former one-day international player Di Venuto continued along at a more subdued pace before he was trapped in front late in the middle session by promising left-arm swing bowler Michael Clark (2-44).

Last year's runner-up Tasmania had entered the four-day contest against a depleted WA lineup without any points from four matches.

And Di Venuto's form had reflected the Tigers' woes having scored 199 runs at just under 25 heading into today.

But he maintained his run of success at the WACA scoring his fourth Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup hundred at the venue and his 10th overall by slashing a four over slips.

However he didn't last much longer before Clark removed him.

Clark then also claimed Michael Dighton (41) having him hit a simple catch to Harvey at cover as Tasmania slumped from 1-165 to 3-170.

The Tigers innings crawled along in the final session with Scott Kremerskothen (12) dragging an attempted hook shot back onto his off stump.

The Warriors immediately took the new ball in the 80th over but were unable to breach the Marsh-Mason combination who put on an unbeaten fifth wicket stand of 56 runs.

Marsh was handed a life late in the day when Chris Rogers grassed a chance at square leg when he was on 33 and the score at 4-248.

Di Venuto said it had been frustrating not being able to carry over his good form for English county side Derbyshire in the northern summer.

"It settled down to a very good batting wicket and we enjoyed that goodness of the wicket pre-lunch," he said.

"Then the ball started going reverse afterwards and it was quite difficult."

Di Venuto said the Tigers would look to make a first big innings lead of around 200 tomorrow.

"It is important to knock the couple of runs off and really push on from there," he said.