Bowlers impede Tasmania's progress after Marsh's 80

Australia Test batsman Shaun Marsh has done his first Test chances no harm with a fluent 80 against Tasmania on a day when the bowlers held sway at the WACA.

Marsh played some exquisite strokes off both the front and the back foot amongst his 17 boundaries. Anything overpitched was driven with conviction and he was savage on anything short, cutting and pulling with trademark ease. He faced 140 balls for his 80 and threatened to take the game away from the Tigers before falling to Sam Rainbird, chipping a simple catch to cover from a ball that might have held up a fraction in the surface.

WA did not capitalise on Marsh's innings as the ball continued to swing and seam throughout the day on a pitch that still retained a healthy coverage of grass.

The Warriors were bowled out with a slender lead of 17 and that was only due to a 37-run 10th wicket partnership between Matt Kelly and David Moody. All five Tasmanian seamers picked up a wicket, with Gabe Bell taking 3 for 45, including the key wickets of Hilton Cartwright and the in-form Marcus Stoinis.

WA made early inroads to put Tasmania under pressure in pursuit of setting a fourth innings target. Jhye Richardson had Alex Doolan caught at second slip while Cameron Green removed Beau Webster cheaply for the second time in the match to leave the Tigers two down and just 14 runs in front.

But Jordan Silk and Jake Doran steadied. Silk moved to 46 not out at close while Doran faced 52 balls for his unbeaten 13.