Hussey slams ton as WA dominate

Western Australia 351 for 3 (Hussey 138, Goodwin 72, North 70) v Tasmania
Scorecard

A determined Michael Hussey produced his first Pura Cup hundred in two years as Western Australia stamped their authority over Tasmania at the WACA ground in Perth. The gritty left-hander made 138 as WA finished the first day at a commanding 3-351. Marcus North (70*) and Shaun Marsh (38*) remained unbeaten at stumps.

This innings came as a welcome relief to Hussey, who was axed for the first time in his career at the end of last summer, having scored just 348 runs at 34.8 in seven Pura Cup matches. But today stand-in captain displayed all of his fighting qualities after Daniel Marsh, the Tasmanian skipper had opted to field after winning the toss.

Hussey's knock took 323 minutes with 23 fours and was brought up by pulling Damien Wright for four just after tea. He was stranded on 99 for 20 minutes, after North was unable to get off the strike in the final over before tea. However he did have his share of luck, when on nine, Sean Clingeleffer, the wicketkeeper, grassed a tough chance off Wright's bowling.

The WA openers lived dangerously in the opening hour before Chris Rogers (24) edged an Adam Griffith (1-46) delivery to Clingeleffer. But Hussey put on a 147-run partnership with Murray Goodwin (72) to hand the home team a strong foundation on the opening day.

The classy former Zimbabwean Test batsman fell to Andrew Downton in the middle session after looking set to post another big score this summer. Hussey and North put on another century partnership to steer WA beyond the 300-run mark with Hussey moving past the 6,000 run mark in the Pura Cup.

However he fell soon after, nudging a ball down the leg side for Clingeleffer's third catch as Wright finally got his man, 286 runs after the dropped chance.

Tasmania entered the day on top of the Pura Cup table while the Western Australian Warriors were at the foot of the ladder after failing to register any points in three matches.