Bird gives Tassie a sniff, but WA fights

ASHTON Agar posted a rearguard half-century yesterday to ensure Western Australia escaped with a draw in the Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania in Perth.

Agar’s unbeaten 76 piloted the hosts to a 323-run lead in their second innings before the opposing captains shook hands shortly before tea on the final day at the WACA Ground.

Agar combined with Joel Paris (23 not out) for a 85-run 10th- wicket partnership, taking the Warriors to 9-383 before play was called off.

Left-arm paceman Paris batted through a hamstring injury and had Cameron Bancroft as a runner.

The defiant stand dashed any Tasmanian hopes of pulling off an unlikely victory, which had seemed a possibility when Jackson Bird ripped through WA’s tail.

Bird (5-78) was prolific with the new ball, snaring three wickets in an over, including the much-needed scalp of Josh Inglis (40).

But Agar and Paris held out, leaving the visitors frustrated.

WA resumed at 2-148 and lost Mitch Marsh in the first over, the all-rounder caught and bowled by Bird for 53.

Older brother Shaun followed soon after, nicking off to a Sam Rainbird delivery on 85 after adding 11 runs to his overnight score.

Marcus Stoinis (57) proved the steadier for the hosts while also scoring at a decent clip, bringing up his half-century off just 75 balls. The powerful allrounder was caught at first slip off Riley Meredith before the hosts went to lunch at 6-261.

Australian Test skipper Tim Paine provided the highlight of day three, breaking a 13-year drought to post his second career first-class century.

Paine top-scored with 121 and debutant Lawrence NeilSmith finished 39 not out in a defiant ninth-wicket stand.

The 34-year-old played down the achievement, saying the century “meant nothing”.

Wicketkeeper Paine also snared a superb diving catch down the leg side to dismiss Cameron Green for a duck off the bowling of Bird.