Western Australia have been reduced to 3-104 as they chase an unlikely 357 to win the Sheffield Shield game against Tasmania at the WACA Ground.

After making just 97 in their first innings, WA slumped to 3-37 early on the third day after Tasmania were bowled out for 242 in their second innings on the second ball of the day’s play.

Marcus Harris (seven), Liam Davis (15) and Luke Towers (five) all made no impression once again to start off WA’s innings.

John Rogers and Michael Hussey survived until lunch, with the pair’s unbeaten partnership of 67 leaving their side needing a further 253 runs to win.

Rogers remains 35 not out and Hussey is 31 with the pair so far combining for the second-best partnership of the match on a wicket that has been bowler-friendly from the outset.

Ben Hilfenhaus has picked up two wickets in the second innings, while James Faulkner snared the scalp of Davis caught and bowled.

Tasmania finished the second day with a lead of 352 and were 9-238 in their second innings before rain and bad light ended play slightly early.

No.11 Adam Maher came out on Saturday morning and smashed Burt Cockley’s first delivery for a boundary to third man, but then meekly lobbed the second straight to Michael Hogan at mid-on.

Hussey won the toss for WA and sent Tasmania into bat and it looked to be a masterstroke when the Tigers were 8-138, but they then scraped their way to a competitive 211.

That was then more than competitive when the Warriors were 6-54 at stumps on the opening day and then all out for 97 early on Friday.

The bowler-friendly wicket still made batting tough for Tasmania, but Ricky Ponting tallied 76 runs to record the only half-century of the match to date.

If the visitors do win, the six points will put the Tigers right in contention for next month’s Shield final.