Cameron Bancroft fails as WA lose early wickets in Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania

Tasmania made early inroads against Western Australia’s much-vaunted batting line-up in their Sheffield Shield match in Hobart.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Tasmania claimed three important top-order scalps as Western Australia reached 3-101 at lunch on day one at Bellerive Oval on Tuesday.

Hilton Cartwright (18no) and Aaron Hardie (8no) are currently at the crease.

Former Test opener Cameron Bancroft was unable to add to his recent good form with the bat as Tim Paine swooped for a spectacular catch to remove him for just one off the bowling of Jackson Bird.

Bancroft had been pressing his case for an Australian Test call-up on the back of his strong Shield performances this season.

Beau Webster struck in successive overs to remove Sam Whiteman (40) and Teague Wyllie (28) as WA slipped from 1-71 to 3-78.

Ladder-leading Western Australia can shore up a spot in the final with a win in Hobart, while the Tigers are among four teams vying for second on the Shield standings.