Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield final hopes remain on edge with Tasmania continuing to frustrate the home side in their Sheffield Shield clash at the WACA.
At tea on day two the Tigers were 8-442 with Beau Webster (103) and Jackson Bird (30) the not out batsmen.
Webster became the second century-maker in the innings for Tasmania, bringing up his ton off 130 balls with 11 boundaries.
Earlier, the consistent Jake Doran (123) scored his third century of the season, digging in for a 288-ball stay.
It made for a tough day for finals aspirants WA.
The hosts need to win the match to make the decider but have so far been hindered by an injury to key bowler Joel Paris, the obdurate Tasmanian batting and the weather.
Paris (2-18) had made early inroads on day one but left the field with a groin complaint and hasn’t bowled since.
The paceman may have only picked up a modest 12 wickets this season in his four Shield matches but comfortably has the best average of any bowler (19.33) with 10 wickets or more in the competition.
His accuracy was missed as Matthew Wade battled on to 90 before being caught behind off the bowling of Ashton Agar (2-101), while Australia captain Tim Paine made 20.
From there it was all the Tigers, Doran proving difficult to dislodge, Webster hitting freely and even Bird letting loose as the latter two added an unbeaten 61 in their ninth-wicket stand.
Cameron Gannon also took two wickets for WA.
Rain and bad light curtailed Saturday’s action but play started early on day two to make up for lost time.
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