WA and SA battle for third

Western Australia and South Australia have little more than pride to play for in their Pura Cup match tomorrow following Tasmania's demolition job at Bellerive Oval today.

The Tigers' ten-wicket win over NSW sent it roaring into next week's final against Queensland at the Gabba leaving the Warriors and Redbacks to play for third place in the competition.

The Warriors were 5-220 at stumps, a lead of 265, with Chris Rogers (83no) and Brad Hogg (43no) at the crease.

Rogers resurrected WA's innings from a precarious position at 5-102 after quick Mike Smith (4-49) had torn through the Warriors' top order.

He needs 17 runs for his second hundred in the match.

The Redbacks were earlier bowled out for 301 in their first innings reply to the Warriors' 7(dec)-346.

After a promising start the WA innings got the jitters after opener Michael Hussey (16), Murray Goodwin (25) and captain Simon Katich (5) were all back in the pavilion at 3-52.

It was particularly disappointing for former Zimbabwean Test batsman Goodwin who was looking to revive his first-class cricket career with his recall to the Warriors.

And in-form Marcus North (10) couldn't continue his run-scoring feats while Ryan Campbell (30) was his aggressive self before Smith removed him for his fourth wicket.

Earlier wicketkeeper Shane Deitz (86) justified his return to the Redbacks team by top scoring while Warriors paceman Jo Angel (3-53) was the pick of the bowlers.

Angel is only two wickets away from becoming the second highest wicket-taker in Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup history.

He needs the pair of wickets to pass Terry Alderman on 384 scalps and also become WA's all-time leading wicket-taker in domestic first-class cricket.

And Redbacks batsman David Fitzgerald (26) earlier made a brave return to the crease after he retired hurt yesterday when a Williams bouncer fractured his cheekbone.

He was the last to go for Matthew Nicholson's (2-78) second wicket.