South Australia beat off a determined Western Australian attack to post a very positive 359 runs when their last wicket fell on day one of this four-day day Pura Cup match in Perth today.

Half centuries to Greg Blewett, Chris Davies and wicket-keeper Shane Deitz kept Western Australia in the field all day.

But the home side toiled well and at the close of the innings left arm fast bowler Michael Clark (5-47) had picked up his first five wicket haul in an innings at this level.

Former West Australian David Fitzgerald and Ben Johnson put 58 runs on the board before Fitzgerald became Clark's first victim, deceived by the ball which straightened off the seam finding him trapped in front after scoring 36 (49 balls).

Johnson and Redback's captain Greg Blewett then spent 44 minutes taking the score to 83 when Johnson became the second wicket to fall, caught by Clark bowled by Brad Williams for 29 (82).

The third wicket was worth 155 runs and had survived lunch (SA 89/2) and tea (SA 214/2) when Davies became Williams's second scalp, uncharacteristically slogging at a short ball which took a top edge to Warriors 'keeper Ryan Campbell. Davies sparkling 75 included 11 fours mostly through the off side and a six lofted over the long off fence.

Mark Higgs 4 (10) was Clark's second wicket pulling toward leg getting a top edge that went high in the air before Scott Meuleman took it at forward square leg. Together with Blewett the fourth wicket was worth just five runs at 243 for four.

The score had not progressed when the wicket of Blewett fell at 243 for five. Trying to work the ball into the point he bottom edged it onto the stumps for 92 (163) to be Clark's third wicket. Blewett treated the crowd to his trade mark boundary drives through cover. He was particularly harsh on Hogg (0-51), amongst shots to all parts of the ground including ten fours and three sixes.

Mick Miller and Deitz pushed the score to 264 for six when Miller 4 (25) was caught out having edged to Rogers at third slip and becoming Clark's fourth victim.

Jon Davison 0 (2) had not troubled the scorers in his 10 minute stay at the crease supporting Deitz who had pushed the score along to 273 for seven. He was run-out at the non-striker's end by Meuleman at mid-on having hesitated after being been called through by Deitz.

Ryan Harris 13 (16) rewarded Matthew Nicholson with his first wicket edging to Campbell and the score had moved to 300 for eight wickets.

Damien Fleming 9 (6) struck two boundaries then played into the hands of Murray Goodwin at gully for Nicholson's second wicket when the score had reached 310 for nine.

The final wicket pairing frustrated the Warriors for thirty minutes as Paul Rofe 11 (16) and Deitz 71 (80) brought the score to 359. Clark was brought on to bowl his seventeenth over but on the third ball he had Rofe caught by Nicholson in the gully.

One run shy of a fifty run partnership and with less than two overs remaining, Deitz was stranded not out on 71 (80) having the lion's share of 116 runs in five partnerships. His innings was peppered with 11 boundaries, most of which were struck through the on side.

Matthew Nicholson ended up with 2 wickets for 76 having toiled away from both ends of the ground at different stages through the day. Brad Williams was costly with 118 runs from 25 overs during which he claimed two wickets. Brad Hogg and Jo Angel went wicket-less.

The day may have belonged to South Australia but it was no mere concession for Michael Clark having taken five wickets for 47 from just under seventeen overs.

"I have been bowling a little bit in club cricket and I felt I probably didn't have a lot of luck there." said Clark after the close of play.

"Then today just a couple of things went my way. It felt really good. I wasn't thinking about getting a five-fer or anything like that. The captain did mention that he might get me on at the end to try and get the five.

"But in all honesty I wasn't thinking about that. I was just hoping to get off the ground and have a bit of a relax."

So ends a long day for Western Australia in the field. A big responsibility lays on the shoulders of this exciting young batting attack as they strive to deliver first innings points tomorrow.

A tall order perhaps with the likes of Australian Test bowler Fleming, Rofe, Harris, captain Blewett and the wily Davison trying to deny them their goal.

The outlook is for fine weather over the next three days - guaranteed to make for great cricket viewing.

© 2002 David Bebb

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.