Marsh scores 108* on Shield return to place Western Australia in sturdy place

Tasmania 179 & 1 for 27 (Jewell 21*, Paris 1-15) path Western Australia 336 (Marsh 108*, Whiteman 64, Freeman 4-81) by 130 runs

Marsh, taking part in as a specialist batter, returned to his greatest with an unbeaten 108 from 111 balls to carry WA to a primary innings complete of 336 and a lead of 157.

Tasmania reached stumps on day two at 1 for 27 with Caleb Jewell on 21 and Jake Doran on 1.

Opener Tim Ward, who top-scored with 44 within the first innings, fell lbw to left-arm fast Joel Paris for 5 to depart Tasmania going through an uphill battle to maintain their ultimate’s hopes alive.

Having lately returned from a three-month layoff after ankle surgical procedure, Marsh was in commanding kind and hit 9 fours and 4 sixes. He mixed with Charlie Stobo in a last-wicket partnership of 113 to thwart Tasmania’s makes an attempt at a comeback.

After a subpar opening day, the place they have been bowled out for 179 of their first innings, Tasmania had clawed again into the competition with common wickets by means of the opening two periods.

Freeman added one other after the lengthy break when allrounder Aaron Hardie smashed a long-hop straight to midwicket with WA nonetheless 25 runs behind.

Marsh, taking part in his first Shield match since April 2021, got here to the crease trying to step up his preparations forward of the upcoming ODI collection in India.

He was run out for a duck in his return in opposition to Tasmania within the 50-over Marsh Cup, however Marsh confirmed little rust as he navigated a short-pitched assault from speedster Riley Meredith who’s arguably the quickest fast within the nation.

After a searing Meredith bouncer sailed over his head for byes, Marsh then counterattacked with an attractive drive to the boundary adopted by a six over midwicket.

But Marsh was operating out of companions with WA slumping to 9 for 223 with a lead of solely 44 runs. He was on 38 when Stobo joined him after which hogged the strike by resisting singles.

Marsh rapidly sped previous his half-century as he focused Freeman straight down the bottom whereas taking up Meredith’s sustained short-ball line.

Tasmania had taken the additional half-hour earlier than tea in a bid to assert the ultimate wicket however their flagging assault was left annoyed as Marsh closed in on his century.

He smashed a six off Freeman to maneuver to 94 earlier than reaching his ton moments later a lot to the delight of the smattering of followers within the terraces.

Marsh acquired sturdy assist from Stobo, who made a first-class career-best rating of 38 off 84 balls to show his price having batted within the top-order for his native membership in Perth grade cricket.

Stobo lastly fell because the shadows crept onto the WACA turf as WA moved nearer to securing a house Shield ultimate.