Tasmania 158 for five (Doran 59*) vs. Western Australia
With Cameron Green being ruled out for the summer, Hardie was heavily highlighted as a comparable replacement. He was inspired by Australia’s recent white-ball tour of the UK but sat out WA’s season opener against Queensland due to a quadriceps strain.
It has been speculated that Hardie would play as a representative hitter, but he entered the attack in the ninth over the nearest starters, Jake Weatherald and Caleb Jewell, easily noticing the unused ball.
Hardie immediately made a brilliant jump and launched a cut from a fielding order to cause problems for Jewell, who on 11 survived a noisy charm for being caught at the back.
Hardie bowled two bursts of three overs but struggled to find the same part in his necromancy in the second query. He completed 0 for 32 in six overs.
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh is available to bowl, having played as a representative batsman against Queensland, but he is yet to break into the attack and has spent most of his time fielding at opening slip.
Perth is best known for its oppressive states during the cricket season, but amid cloudy skies and downpours in the breeze, WA captain Sam Whiteman was unsure about bowling first on a green wicket.
Later, being carefully corralled through Queensland, with Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja counter-attacking him in perfect batting form, Rocchiccioli conjured up a brilliant turn and trademark leap to put WA in control.
He outwitted Silk, sometimes very gifted with spin, with a looping delivery that made him dance the floor poorly but hit directly to the middle of the field.
Fast Brody Sofa, who made a combined WA debut against Queensland, was often ferocious and reached speeds of 143km/h. He was rewarded by the leap forward from Jewell, who beat out a bid from right field just to slide into second.
WA had a stranglehold but a downpour hit the pitch shortly after lunch, causing a temporary disruption. The exchange of elements was perceived to change the shape of the game at the restart with Rocchiccioli unable to achieve the same effect in very stormy situations and with a wet ball that was suddenly powerless.
Doran took advantage and hit several impressive shots that immediately invaded the field as he merged into a half-century partnership with Charlie Wakim. WA were left frustrated and reportedly made moves until quick Cameron Gannon, who bowled too full with the unused ball, brought Wakim close to second slip.
Like Hardie, all-rounder Beau Webster could be in the Test calculations to replace Green, but he only made three closer cuts to seamer Matt Kelly as the games soon ended in a WACA shortfall.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based entirely in Perth.
