Western Australia v Tasmania, Pura Cup, Perth, 3rd day

Tasmania fight to survive after Ronchi blasts

Cricinfo staff

March 9, 2008

Tasmania 207 & 3 for 148 trail Western Australia 372 & 8 for 318 dec (Ronchi 93, North 69, Pomersbach 68) by 335 runs
Scorecard
Points table

	Luke Ronchi's big hitting has been a feature of his time with Western Australia © Getty Images

Tasmania lost three wickets and knocked 148 runs from their massive chase of 484 against Western Australia at the WACA. Michael Di Venuto, who was in his final outing for his state, went for 45 to Mathew Inness, another player who is stepping down, and Travis Birt (17) and Dane Anderson (47) also departed, leaving George Bailey and Dan Marsh with the work to do on the final day.

Luke Ronchi's brutal 93 off 76 balls, which was backed by half-centuries to Marcus North and Luke Pomersbach, allowed North to declare at 8 for 318, an advantage of 483. Ronchi's first eight scoring shots were boundaries and he finished in a hurry during another aggressive display.

He raised his fifty with a six and the innings was closed when he became Tim Macdonald's second wicket. North had already strolled to 69 and Pomersbach gained 68 to give the Warriors few worries as they built their buffer. Brett Geeves and Luke Butterworth also captured two victims before the declaration arrived. The Warriors will finish third and Tasmania fourth whatever the result.

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