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.
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.
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.