Cleary stands up as Western Australia stutter

South Australia 0 for 0 trail Western Australia 243 (Pomersbach 51, Cleary 4-70) by 243 runs
Scorecard
Points table

Mark Cleary's four wickets led South Australia as they dismissed Western Australia for 243 on a rain-shortened opening day. Luke Pomersbach blasted a run-a-ball half-century but it was one of few highlights for Western Australia as they relied on their lower order to post the total.

The Warriors, who are four points adrift of second place with two games remaining, started badly as they tripped to 3 for 26 after the start was delayed by more than two hours while the surface dried. There were brief rallies from the hosts, with the captain Adam Voges and opener Luke Towers making contributions before Pomersbach's burst.

Voges went lbw to Cleary for 38 and when Towers was trapped by Aaron O'Brien for 41 the Warriors were 5 for 98. Pomersbach struck seven fours and two sixes in his 51, but he was undone by Daniel Christian as South Australia continued their hold.

The wicketkeeper Michael Johnson, who has replaced Luke Ronchi, and Steve Magoffin inflated the total by 48 until Magoffin (24) fell the ball after hitting O'Brien for six. Cleary benefitted the most from the conditions with 4 for 70, including Johnson to a top edge, while O'Brien picked up 3 for 67 after ending the innings. South Australia, who are last on the table, survived two overs without making a run.