Middle-order batsmen lead Western Australia to strong position

Australia Test captain Tim Paine claimed three catches on his return to Tasmanian ranks after a one-match rest, but Western Australia's middle order guided the visitors to a useful total with some panache after being sent in to bat in the Sheffield Shield match at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.

Conditions appeared highly favourable to the Tigers' seam bowlers, not least Jackson Bird, and though the sometime Test paceman did claim three wickets including that of Cameron Bancroft with a perfectly pitched delivery taking the outside edge, the Warriors could end the day satisfied to have avoided the mayhem witnessed in Brisbane (20 wickets in the day) and in Sydney (17).

While no member of the WA batting order went on to a century, Sam Whiteman, Hilton Cartwright, Josh Philippe and D'Arcy Short - he of the Hobart Hurricanes - all made sturdy contributions while scoring at a considerable clip, with no fewer than 43 boundaries struck across 96 overs.

Riley Meredith's pace brought a pair of picture book dismissals as the Dukes ball swung all day, and when Philippe dragged a wide Bird delivery on to his stumps it appeared possible the Tigers would be batting before stumps. But Joel Paris and Matthew Kelly dug in, allowing the WA innings to eke into a second day.