WA lose Paris to injury in must win Shield clash

Western Australia made early inroads in pursuit of a Sheffield Shield final spot but a fighting Tasmanian partnership and an injury to key bowler Joel Paris made it a reasonably balanced affair on a rain-interrupted day one at the WACA Ground in Perth.

Needing an outright victory to qualify for the final – and potentially even host it – WA had Tasmania 3-182 when play was halted for bad light in the post-tea session.

The visitors had slipped to 3-59 during the opening session but Matthew Wade (82no) combined with Jake Doran (50no) in an unbroken 123-run stand to keep the Tigers in the hunt. 

Fresh from a maiden Shield century to go with his five-wicket haul last-up against Victoria, Paris (2-18) again starred early with the ball.

But the paceman left the field with a left groin injury and there are doubts about him bowling any more in the match. 

Paris had Jordan Silk caught behind for 11 and rounded out the opening session when he had Caleb Jewell caught by Shaun Marsh at second slip for 12.

With Cameron Gannon (1-26) snaring the wicket of Tim Ward (15), also at the hands of Marsh, it was advantage WA after they had won the toss and put the visitors in to bat.

But Wade showed equal parts defensive nous and attacking flair, cracking 11 fours and a six in his 179-ball unbeaten knock, while a patient Doran passed 500 runs for the Shield summer and proved a perfect foil to his senior partner.