Sheffield Shield: Jhye Richardson brilliance leaves WA’s hopes of beating Tasmania resting on batting group

Some Jhye Richardson brilliance has kept WA in their Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania, but the side’s hopes of remaining a realistic chance to feature in the final will rest on a reversal in form from their misfiring batting group. Resuming at 5-64 in pursuit of the visitors’ total of 239 at the WACA Ground, the hosts were at least able to get up to 155, in large part thanks to a 53-run last-wicket stand between Corey Rocchiccioli (36) and Brody Couch (22 not out). The game’s breakneck pace continued as five wickets fell inside the first 30 overs of the Tigers’ second innings, with Richardson at one stage boasting fixtures of 3-9 from his six. Test all-rounder Beau Webster (55) and wicketkeeper Jake Doran (32 not out) responded to ensure their side finished on 9-206 with a lead of 290 at the close, meaning WA will need to chase a total larger than any managed in the match to secure the first of what is likely to be four required wins to break into the top two. Richardson, who finished with 4-41 from 15 overs, confirmed he was not under any workload restrictions and said being able to back up from bowling 16 overs on the game’s first day was pleasing. “It’s something I haven’t experienced for a little while, so I’m expecting to be a bit sore tomorrow,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to help the team get back in a position to be able to win the game. We know this year, the way that it’s panned out, we haven’t had the success we would like in shield cricket. “It’s nice to get through overs. It’s obviously something I haven’t for a while, so it’s nice to be able to get through and do a job for the team. “I’m still getting through and if required to bowl tomorrow, I’m ready to go.” WA’s bad start with the bat got even worse when Cam Bancroft chopped the day’s first delivery from Beau Webster back onto his stumps to depart for 20. A sizeable first-innings deficit looked in the offing after they slipped further into the mire at 9-102 before their enterprising tail-end partnership frustrated the Tigers. Richardson quickly accounted for both of Tasmania’s openers in a blistering first spell, undoing Test opener Jake Weatherald — who made two before paying for a top-edged pull shot with his wicket for the second time inside two days — and his partner Caleb Jewell (four). He saved his finest delivery of the match for the in-form Jordan Silk (40), hooping a vicious in-swinger through the Tasmanian captain’s defences and into the top of off stump. Neither Tim Ward (20) nor Nikhil Chaudhary (17) capitalised on promising starts but Webster and Doran were able to put on 68 for the sixth wicket. With the game slipping away, Sam Whiteman turned back to Richardson and he immediately delivered again, sending Webster on his way courtesy of a catch clung onto by Aaron Hardie in the gully. Doran found something of an unlikely ally in tail-ender Jackson Bird (23) near the day’s end before surviving through to stumps.