Dighton and Watson prop up Tasmania

Close Western Australia 6 for 562 dec and 5 for 244 (Langer 84, North 82*) lead Tasmania 5 for 384 dec (Dighton 101, Watson 139, Marsh 51*) by 422 runs
Scorecard

The run-fest continued at the Bellerive Oval, as 436 were scored for seven wickets on the third day of the Pura Cup match between Tasmania and Western Australia. Tasmania got 192 of those - doubling their overnight total - for the loss of just two wickets, allowing them to declare at 5 for 384, 178 adrift of WA's first-innings total. By close of play, WA had stretched that lead to 422.

Michael Dighton and Shane Watson, the unbeaten batsmen, were the stars for Tasmania. Both notched up hundreds, and put together 194 for the fourth wicket, bailing the team out from a tricky 87 for 3. Dighton made 101 before being trapped in front by Marcus North, the part-time offspinner, while Watson went on to score 139 from 193 balls.

Justin Langer led Western Australia's reply after Tasmania's bold declaration, scoring 84 in quick time. North then came in and hammered a rapid 82 not out off just 84 balls, inclusive of 10 fours and two sixes, ensuring that WA had enough runs on the board to allow Langer the option of declaring at the overnight total and give his bowlers an entire day to take ten wickets.