Tasmania 302 for 7 (Owen 83, Jewell 61, Paris 4-38) vs. Western Australia
Tasmania, who lost to WA just a fortnight ago by six wickets in a Shield final rematch in Perth, finished the first day 302 for 7 at Bellerive Oval. A run-a-ball 83 from No. 7 Owen helped lift the hosts from a precarious 153 for 4.
The Shield champions traveled to Hobart top of the table but lost numerous key staff.
Among those absent were opener Cameron Bancroft, Cooper Connolly and rising player Corey Rocchiccioli in Australia A; Aaron Hardie and Josh Inglis preparing for upcoming one-day internationals, as well as Mitch Marsh (paternity leave) and Charlie Stobo (omitted).
Tasmania lined up without key middle-order batsman Beau Webster, who led their scoring tally last season, while the bowling line-up was boosted by the returns of Gabe Bell and Lawrence Neil-Smith.
The home team survived the opening session unbeaten after being sent into bat by opposition captain Ashton Turner.
Tasmania posted a hundred stand before rookie medium pacer Brody Couch trapped Jake Weatherald on the leg side for 49.
Jewell was trapped lbw for 61 after surviving an earlier release, before Charlie Wakim and skipper Jordan Silk were sent back to the pavilion.
Owen fell in the final hour having hit 13 boundaries and two sixes in the best knock of his career, only for Paris to end the dangerous innings.
Brad Hope was then dismissed for 25 off Cameron Gannon after sharing a 102-run stand with Owen.
