Western Australia 332 (Inglis 101, Cartwright 65, Connolly 55) and 83 for 4 (Cartwright 39*) Tasmania 277 (Owen 69, Doran 66, Rocchiccioli 4-70) and 137 (Sofa 4-50) through six wickets
With WA chasing just 83 runs in brilliant conditions early in the final hour, Bancroft had a yellowing chance to boost confidence in the innings having scored just eight runs in his first three innings of guard.
However, he felt uncomfortable early on to test the unused bowling of quicks Riley Meredith and Kieran Elliott. With the power pack having scored just two runs in their first 15 deliveries, Bancroft decided to attack, but missed a delivery from Meredith to right leg and walked away with his hopes of filling the supposedly vacant opener’s spot. plummeted.
“To be honest, he’s pretty good… he keeps things really simple,” WA captain Sam Whiteman said of Bancroft. “I think it’s a matter of time. Every mistake… is one step closer to getting a great result. He’s a pretty positive guy.”
The low target proved difficult for WA and the pressure mounted on some of the few enthusiasts after they fell to 18 for 4. Next Whiteman, Mitchell Marsh and Aaron Hardie fell to Elliott who generated action from the grassy wicket.
It used to be quiet for Marsh, who had ratings of 9s and sixes as an expert batsman at Refuse. 4. He had mentioned before the attack that his bowling would improve a lot, but he has booked a comeback with the ball.
Inglis and Cartwright stabilized the sending with a nimble half-century partnership to guide WA throughout the series. After scoring two game-changing centuries to start the season, Inglis tried his luck again to complete 26 off 36 balls.
Cartwright remained unbeaten on 39 off 50 balls to cap a major attack after he had to run off the field during tea in the second hour when his wife went into childbirth. He returned in the 3rd hour to renew his innings at 52 before the start of his second off in the early hours. Cartwright wanted Tasmania to agree to him returning to the line.
There appeared to be a stiffness on the ground in the 4th hour with Cartwright concerned over a disagreement with Tasmanian opener Jake Weatherald. That they had a long year of change holding hands before the attack.
Tasmania began the 4th hour in a forlorn position with a maximum of just 80 runs and a wicket in hand. They simply added two runs before the quick Brody Sofa claimed his fourth wicket of the next innings by trapping Meredith in front of the line.
After a patchy performance on his WA debut against Queensland, Sofa was exceptional throughout, with figures in the form of sevens for 83 and rock speeds of 143km/h.
