Cricket News By TODAYLIVESCORE.INFO - Sheffield Shield: Western Australia take day 1 honours. Lance Morris bagged a four-wicket haul to put Western Australia in command
Lance Morris bagged a four-wicket haul to put Western Australia in command
Queensland vs Western Australia
Western Australia came up with an excellent performance with both bat and ball to take the opening day honours against Queensland at the Gabba. The home side got off to the worst possible start when Joel Paris bowled Bryce Street and removed key man Marnus Labuschagne for a first-ball duck. With Joe Burns also falling cheaply, Queensland never recovered. Skipper Usman Khawaja stood tall but none of the batters in the top 8 even managed to register double digits.
Gurinder Sandhu offered some resistance after the fall of the seventh wicket but Khawaja did the bulk of the scoring, but Western Australia kept chipping away. Eventually, they were bowled out for just 129 with Lance Morris picking up a four-wicket haul. Khawaja, who made more than 50% of the team's runs, was the last man dismissed for 70.
Even though Michael Neser and Sandhu appeared to strike back with the ball removing both the Western Australia openers, the visitors finished the day on top. They were dealt a blow when Shaun Marsh had to walk off retired hurt but Cameron Green and Josh Phillippe stood tall to guide the team to 108/2 by stumps – just 21 runs short of Queensland's total.
Brief scores:Queensland 129 (Usman Khawaja 70; Lance Morris 4-21, Jhye Richardson 3-38)lead Western Australia 108/2 (Cameron Green 48*, Josh Phillippe 36*) by 21 runs.
Tasmania vs South Australia
On a rain-affected opening day at Hobart, South Australia made a stuttering start in their clash against hosts Tasmania. The hosts made the right call opting to bowl and were rewarded with the early wicket of Jake Weatherald. Lawrence Neil-Smith then struck at the other end getting rid of Jake Carder to cause more damage but only 15.1 overs were possible on the day due to rain. The in-form Travis Head will be expected to rescue his side on the second day.
Brief scores: South Australia 27/2 (Henry Hunt 14*; Peter Siddle 1/8) vs Tasmania.