Bell's late strikes put Tasmania on the brink in a thriller with Western Australia

Two crucial late strikes from Gabe Bell has put Tasmania on the brink of victory at Bellerive Oval after Western Australia quick Matthew Kelly took a career-best six-wicket haul on a wild day of momentum swings.

Chasing 259 to win in the fourth innings WA were 198 for 5 as they neared stumps on day with Aaron Hardie on 61 having shared a half-century stand with Joel Curtis before they lost three wickets in 12 balls with Bell snaring two of them. It left WA still needing 44 to win at stumps on day three with Curtis not out alongside Corey Rocchiccioli and No.11 Liam Haskett still to come.

Earlier, WA were given a chance by Kelly as he tore through Tasmania's lower order taking a career-best 6 for 49. Tasmania had started the day 244 for 5 with skipper Jordan Silk on 51 and Jake Doran unbeaten on 29. Cameron Gannon removed Doran caught behind in the third over of the morning before Kelly took three of the last four in a devastating burst as Tasmania lost 5 for 9 to be all out for 259.

Cameron Bancroft and fellow opener Sam Whiteman both fell cheaply in the chase and the hosts were reduced to 76 for 4 when Hilton Cartwright (14) and Jayden Goodwin (48) fell in quick succession.

But Sam Fanning (31) and Hardie swung the balance in WA's favour, the visitors appearing on track for victory until Hardie fell for a set trap and was caught by captain Silk at a second short midwicket off the bowling of Bell.

Riley Meredith then blasted through Kelly's defences and Bell bowled Gannon to leave WA needing 58 runs with just three wickets in hand.

Rocchiccioli hung with Curtis at stumps to keep WA in the fight.

Bell continued Test aspirant Bancroft's lean run to begin the Shield season when he was caught behind while Jackson Bird bowled without luck.