Rogers puts Western Australia in the driving seat

Close Western Australia 437 and 1 for 231 (Rogers 116*, Goodwin 50*) lead Tasmania 380 by 288 runs
Scorecard

A quickfire century by Chris Rogers put Western Australia on course to set Tasmania an imposing final-day run-chase tomorrow at the WACA. WA collected their first Pura Cup points of the summer, but not before some late-order resistance from Tasmania, the competition leaders. In reply to WA's 437, Tasmania were dismissed for 380 in their first innings, Sean Clingeleffer leading the tail with a patient 79.

WA closed on 1 for 231 in their second innings, with a lead of 288. Rogers had made 116 not out, while Murray Goodwin scored an unbeaten 50. Michael Hussey, the stand-in captain, set the pace with a rapid half-century before Rogers blossomed. He reached his hundred off only 119 balls, with a cover-drive for four off Damien Wright. He had smashed 18 fours and a six by the close in a thoroughly entertaining innings.

Hussey would have been delighted with the frenetic scoring speed of his team - 211 runs in the final session - but he should be wary about setting a small target on a batting-friendly deck. WA were scorched last month when Justin Langer set New South Wales 303 off 52 overs at the SCG, and Steve Waugh and Simon Katich hauled it in. But Hussey also knows his side needs maximum points to get back into contention in the four-day competition.

Earlier in the day, Tasmania's tail wagged after being 6 for 163 with Wright (65) and Andrew Downton (45) recording their highest Pura Cup scores. Clingeleffer's 79 was a timely return to form after a barren run - he managed only 28 runs from four previous knocks this summer after averaging just 15 last season. Wright and Clingeleffer frustrated the WA attack, but Ryan Campbell, the wicketkeeper, failed to hold a chance when Clingeleffer was on 33.

The pair put on 115 for the seventh wicket before Brad Williams had Wright nudging a sharp catch to Hussey at third slip. Adam Griffith drove Callum Thorp to the cover boundary to pass the follow-on mark before Williams had him caught behind. But the defiant lower-order batting continued, with Clingeleffer and Downton putting on 61 for the ninth wicket. Downton was the last to go, falling to Brad Hogg after Williams just managed to grasp the catch after initially misjudging the ball's flight.