Cameron Bancroft hits fifty after bowlers ensure big lead for Western Australia
Hosts Tasmania were reduced to 6 for 74 at one stage, with Charlie Stobo ending with three wickets for the visitors
AAP
22-Feb-2023
Cameron Bancroft ended day two unbeaten on 50 • Getty Images
Western Australia 92 for 1 (Bancroft 50*, Wylie 10*, Ellis 1-10) and 300 lead Tasmania 169 (Webster 52, Silk 45, Stobo 3-45) by 223 runs
Western Australia have moved closer to guaranteeing their spot in the Sheffield Shield final after a dominant day two with bat and ball against Tasmania in Hobart. WA took wickets with regularity to dismiss Tasmania for just 169 in just over two sessions at the Bellerive Oval on Wednesday.
Boasting of a 131-run first innings lead, the visitors then extended the margin to 223 by reaching 1 for 92 at stumps. The Shield's top run-getter Cameron Bancroft turned around a rare failure on day one by posting an unbeaten 50. Fellow opener Sam Whiteman was the only wicket to fall - dismissed by Nathan Ellis - with Teague Wyllie ending the day on 10 not out.
Bancroft also enjoyed a remarkable day in the field, taking five catches at first slip as he equalled the competition record for a non-wicketkeeper.
Leaders WA had six wicket-takers in a strong all-round performance, with Charlie Stobo's 3 for 45 topping the bowling figures.
Tasmania's top order had few answers to the persistent accuracy of Joel Paris (2 for 41) and Matthew Kelly (2 for 30), and faced disaster at 6 for 74. Jordan Silk (45) and Beau Webster (52) lifted the home side past the follow-on, but Tasmania's last four wickets added just 17.
With four wins from seven outings, WA will shore up a ticket to next month's final with victory in Hobart.