By Justin Chadwick
NSW skipper Kurtis Patterson provided the sole resistance with the bat before debutant Ben Dwarshuis landed two quick blows with the ball in an intriguing opening day of the Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia.
Warriors paceman Lance Morris snared 5-36 off 18 overs and Joel Paris chipped in with 3-39 as the Blues were bowled out for 180 late on Monday at the WACA Ground.
NSW skipper Kurtis Patterson.Credit:Getty
Patterson was left stranded on 72 off 149 balls, with the left-hander a class above as wickets tumbled around him.
In reply, WA stumbled to 2-18 at stumps, with openers Sam Whiteman (0) and Cam Bancroft (2) falling to Dwarshuis in his Shield debut.
Debutant Sam Fanning (13no off 41 balls) and Hilton Cartwright (2no off 17 balls) ground their way to stumps.
Morris was the hero of the day, with the 24-year-old’s second five-wicket haul putting WA in the box seat before the late stumble.
“I’m just starting to understand my role within the team,” Morris said.
“I’ve got a licence to bowl fast and intimidate. I’m settling into my role nicely now, and I’m enjoying it.
“We’ll regroup tomorrow. We know NSW are going to come pretty hard early tomorrow, but hopefully we can blunt that and pile on a few runs.”
NSW crawled to 0-30 off 18 overs before Morris inflicted an important double blow.
Daniel Hughes (15) was the first to fall when he struck Morris straight to mid-off, and the Blues were 2-37 when a diving Paris took a sharp catch at gully to dismiss Blake Nikitaras (20).
Morris found the edge of Jason Sangha (21) after lunch, and he had his fourth wicket when he bowled Baxter Holt for three.
The five-wicket haul was complete when Morris dismissed tail-ender Chris Tremain.
Paris and spinner Corey Rocchiccioli (2-33) helped clean up the middle order and tail.
Patterson’s patience proved crucial in helping NSW avoid a complete crumble like they experienced in their nine-wicket one-day loss to WA on Saturday.
In that match, the Blues slumped to 6-20 before being rolled for 76, with WA needing just 17 overs to reach the victory target.
Patterson’s half-century has at least given NSW something to work with in the Shield match, but WA remain in the box seat to take a sizeable first-innings lead.
The Warriors kicked off their title defence without star duo Shaun Marsh (knee) and Jhye Richardson (rested).
AAP
