Chris Rogers' 123 rescued Western Australia from an early slip against Tasmania on a rain-affected opening day in Hobart, steering them to 4 for 245 by stumps. He and Adam Voges, who remained unbeaten on 80, reversed the momentum that had been all Tasmania's in the opening exchanges, as their bowlers reduced them to 3 for 57 under overcast skies, including the wicket of Michael Hussey.
Rogers, whose innings included 14 fours and a six, put on 168 with Voges, who was nearing his own century before bad light brought an early close with 73.4 overs possible in the day. Rogers finally fell inside-edging Luke Butterworth but will have enhanced his Test claims, particularly should Phil Jaques not recover in time for the Boxing Day bout against India, though
he is expected to be fit.
Ben Hilfenhaus nipped in early to remove Justin Langer top-edging for a duck, and Shaun Marsh wasn't too far behind him, making 17 before Dan Marsh dismissed him on the stroke of lunch during a rain-truncated morning, taking a simple return catch. More bad weather hampered the second session, but in between the showers Hussey made 7 before Michael Di Venuto ran him out after the batsman's edge had been dropped.
Hussey's Australia team-mate Adam Gilchrist had reached 10 by stumps, including a six over midwicket, while their international captain Ricky Ponting was
pulled out of the game under Cricket Australia's request.