Western Australia have humiliated a toothless South Australia on the first day of its Sheffield Shield clash at the WACA ground.
In an incredible day the Warriors claimed first innings points, took a 90 run lead with nine wickets in hand and put themselves in a great position to win outright and consolidate second place on the Shield table.
After a fine display with the ball, routing the visitors for just 93, the WA batsmen then did their bit.
Opener Wes Robinson (71 not out) shared a 113 run partnership with number three Craig Simmons (52 not out) as the home side moved to 1 for 183 at stumps.
After winning the toss and electing to bat in hot and humid conditions WA quick Michael Hogan dismissed opener Dan Harris for a duck with the fifth ball of the innings.
And worse was to follow for the visitors - with Hogan soon having dangerman and captain Michael Klinger back in the pavilion to leave SA at 2 for 12.
Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals in the morning session - with quicks Jason Behrendorff and Nathan Rimmington backing up Hogan well to maintain pressure on the Redbacks' batsmen.
Opener Tom Thornton (24) and number six Tom Stray (19) offered a brief period of resistance, but when Thornton fell to a poor shot off the bowling of spinner Michael Beer in the last over before lunch, SA was in deep trouble at 5 for 75 at the break.
Things only got worse as WA captain Adam Voges rotated his bowlers with aplomb, the Warriors taking just 42 minutes to wrap up the SA tail for addition of only 18 more runs.
The main destroyer for WA was strike bowler Hogan - who finished with 5 for 24 in three top-class spells, and he was ably supported by Rimmington and Behrendorff, who took two wickets each.
Hogan was thrilled with his side's day, and said all the bowlers contributed to dismissing SA for such a low total.
"I think we knew there'd be a bit in it (the pitch) in the first couple of hours with the new ball and we had to use it really well, and I think we did that," Hogan said.
"I like to think we put the ball in the right area and gave ourselves every chance so I wouldn't say it was (just) poor batting.
"We'll take the credit for some good bowling."
SA coach Darren Berry had no excuses for his side's dismal display.
"We were happy to bat - Western Australia showed when they batted that it wasn't about the wicket, we just batted badly," he said.
"We've had a really really disappointing day today.
"It's one thing to get knocked over with the bat, but I think we were really poor with the ball as well."
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, perth-6000, wa, adelaide-5000, sa, australia First posted December 05, 2011 22:08:51
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