 The Warriors are on the verge of their third greatest ever
fourth innings run chase after brilliant knocks from Sam Whiteman and Ashton
Agar turned their Bupa Sheffield Shield clash with the Tasmanian Tigers at the
WACA Ground in their favour.
WA will resume on day four needing only a further six runs
for victory, while Tasmania need just two wickets.
Play had been extended by the umpires with a result
appearing imminent late on day three, however stumps were eventually called
with both sides agonisingly short.
Chasing an unlikely 357 for victory, WA had earlier slumped
to 3-37, but were revived by a strong 81-run stand between Mike Hussey and John
Rogers, before Whiteman and Agar turned the game around.
Earlier, Burt Cockley (3-65) took the final wicket of the
Tasmanian innings with the second ball of the day, to ensure a 357-run target.
Early wickets set the Warriors back, but Hussey (44) and
Rogers (39) combined for an encouraging stand before both were dismissed caught
behind shortly after lunch by James Faulkner.
Mitch Marsh and Whiteman carried on their momentum, taking
WA past the 200 mark, with the former making just the second half-century of
the match.
However, Marsh fell for 51 trapped LBW by Ben Hilfenhaus,
leaving WA precariously placed at 6-203.
Agar came to the crease and was dropped by Ricky Ponting in the slips on
zero, before putting together a match-changing partnership with Whiteman.
Whiteman brought up his half-century, while Agar was dropped
again by Mark Cosgrove, who had to leave the field following the attempt with a
hand injury.
WA closed to within 33 runs of victory, before Bunbury
product Whiteman eventually lost his wicket caught by Alex Doolan at point off
Adam Maher for a knock of 83, which included 12 boundaries and one six.
Agar and Ryan Duffield tried to guide WA home before the
close of play, which was extended with a result in sight.
The young spinner also brought up his half-century, before
Duffield lost his wicket, caught and bowled Faulkner for 12 to ensure a tense
finale.
Agar (71*) and Cockley (4*) attempted to finish the job, but
stumps were called with game agonisingly close to a result.
WA will resume on Sunday at 10.30am, with live commentary on
Sport FM 91.3. |
