western australia 325 for 8 (Whiteman 104, Connolly 73*, Cartwright 55, Short 50, Freeman 3-103) vs Tasmania
The efforts of Whiteman and Short helped mitigate the heavy loss of Bancroft, who was ruled out of the competition with concussion following a cycling accident.
Connolly, WA’s other player, helped lift WA to what looks to be a good first innings with his first fifty in professional cricket. He finished on 73 off 79 balls and will be eyeing a century on day two as Connolly’s fearless approach showed exactly why WA were so keen to bring him into the line-up. He was supposed to play the season opener against Victoria before he injured his toe in a freak boating accident.
“If we were asked before that day [at stumps] we’re still batting and over 300, you’d get it nine times out of 10,” Whiteman said.
“I think we really clawed our way back into the game,” Freeman said. “If we can go bang, bang tomorrow, then I think we’re on top.”
Without the formidable presence of Bancroft, Tasmania hoped to upset WA’s rejuvenated top order, but quicks Riley Meredith and Gabe Bell were inconsistent with the new ball.
Wightman had been rested ahead of the fight, highlighting his experience at this stage as the roles of the former were reversed. He was composed at the crease and drove elegantly to hit 21 off 14 balls.
In a remarkable contrast, the innate striker Short, who reached No.5 in his only Shield match this season, was scratched and made just 4 off his first 24 balls.
Surprisingly, picked ahead of teenager Teague Wyllie because of his experience and aggression, Short rode his luck after putting gloves on the leg on 13, only to be bowled by Beau Webster. Short had more luck in the next over when he was bowled at first slip by Caleb Jewell after rushing a long delivery from Iain Carlisle.
It proved costly for what looked to be a troubled Tasmania hoping to end an 11-year Shield drought. Whiteman and Short won the first session and shortly after lunch recorded a rare opening century stand in the Shield this season.
Short had crossed a boundary to reach his fifty but fell in the next delivery when he bowled a good line and length delivery from Bell, who had finally found his radar.
Jayden Goodwin, who was in the running to move up the order and replace Bancroft, fell cheaply to a Freeman delivery which he flattened and took a lead at first slip.
Whiteman looked unstoppable before falling at the feet of the industrious Carlisle as Tasmania ended a decent session when Freeman bowled Aaron Hardie through the wicket for a duck with a blistering delivery.
Cartwright scored a half-century after tea, but Connolly took center stage in the final session with a valiant knock. Undeterred by the big stage, as when he was the hero of the Perth Scorchers’ triumph in last year’s BBL final, Connolly drove to his first ball and slotted between second slip and gully for a boundary.
He didn’t hold back and hit two sixes, including one that sailed high down the ground and into the lower tier of the Lillee-Marsh stand.
Tasmania needed some inspiration and they turned to the versatility of Webster, who unleashed his offspin and did the trick when he bowled Joel Paris.
But Connolly raced to his fifty in just 48 balls to justify his selection, with left-arm quick Liam Haskett running out unluckily after taking six wickets against Victoria in the last round.
Bancroft was on the ground before the game with deep cuts visible on the right side of his face. He is recovering well from a concussion and went for a light run yesterday.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth