A batting wonderr from Beau Webster has stunned Western Australia

Trailing by 183 runs at the start of day three at Blundstone Arena, the Tigers snatched a 19-run first innings advantage courtesy of a remarkable knock from in-form Webster.

Nathan Ellis of Tasmania of Tasmania bowls during day three of the Marsh Sheffield Shield match between the Tasmanian Tigers and Western Australia. Picture: AAP IMAGE/MICHAEL DODGE

A BATTING masterpiece from Beau Webster has stunned Western Australia and put Tasmania in a strong position to register just its second Sheffield Shield victory of the season.

Trailing by 183 runs at the start of day three at Blundstone Arena, the Tigers snatched a 19-run first innings advantage courtesy of a remarkable knock from in-form Webster.

Buoyed by the savage swing in momentum the bowling unit then shredded the Warriors top order, reducing them to 3-6 and 4-26 before a double breakthrough an hour before stumps left them 6-161 and holding a 142 run lead.

Resuming on 34, Webster – who finished as the equal-fifth-leading scorer in a breakout BBL campaign – powered his way to a breathtaking run-a-ball 187 which hoisted the hosts from 5-188 to 390.

Beau Webster of Tasmania celebrates making 150 during day three of the Marsh Sheffield Shield match between the Tasmanian Tigers and Western Australia at Blundstone Arena. Picture: AAP IMAGE/MICHAEL DODGE

It was his fifth first-class century and easily surpassed his previous highest score of 134, but it was the manner in which he pummeled the WA attack that shone.

With Ben McDermott (28 from 126 balls) dropping anchor at the other end, Webster went on a rampage in cracking 27 boundaries and three sixes before being the final wicket to fall at the hands of Joel Paris (5-90).

Gabe Bell of Tasmania appeals during day three of the Marsh Sheffield Shield match between the Tasmanian Tigers and Western Australia at Blundstone Arena in Hobart, Wednesday, February 26, 2020. Picture: AAP IMAGE/MICHAEL DODGE

He rattled off 59 runs from 51 balls in the opening hour, survived a dropped catch at fine leg on 97, reached his milestone two balls later and then unleashed some flamboyant strokeplay while shielding the tail to drag the hosts past a shell shocked Warriors unit.

Josh Philippe of Western Australia plays a shot during day three of the Sheffield Shield match between Tasmania and Western Australia at Blundstone Arena. Picture: STEVE BELL/GETTY IMAGES

Having arrived at the crease on day two with Tasmania teetering at 5-139, Webster crunched 74.5 per cent of the side’s last 251 runs, dominating partnerships of 128 with McDermott, 59 for the ninth wicket with Nathan Ellis and 50 for the last alongside Gabe Bell (one not out).

Ellis (3-50) and Bell (2-42) drove home the advantage by removing Cameron Bancroft, Jake Carder and Shaun Marsh all for ducks – consigning the latter to a pair – before Sam Rainbird chimed in with the scalp of Sam Whiteman shortly after tea.

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First innings hero Cameron Green (45) and Josh Philippe (55) steadied with a 79-run union but when Philippe edged Ellis to first slip and Green was caught behind attempting to hook Bell eight balls later the hosts opened up the lower order.

Aaron Hardie (18) and Paris (26) combined for an unbroken stand of 52 to stem the bleeding but the visitors will be desperate to set a target in excess of 200 on a pitch which remains good for batting.

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