South Australian opener Mark Cosgrove is looking comfortable on his old home ground of Bellerive Oval while the locals try to find his weakness.

The left-hander contributed 60 runs to SA’s first-innings 3-114 against Tasmania before Wednesday’s play in the Sheffield Shield ended prematurely due to rain on day two.

A methodical Cosgrove found the boundary 12 times, effortlessly pouncing on any loose delivery and Tigers skipper George Bailey admitted he poses a threat.

“We’ve just got to make sure we’re really specific when we’re bowling to him – that we get the ball in the right area,” Bailey told reporters after play on Wednesday.

After playing four seasons with Tasmania, Cosgrove returned to SA at the start of 2014.

This is the first time he’s faced his old team in first-class cricket.

“You’re always looking to exploit the weaknesses that you’ve come to know and he’s looking to target the bowlers he’s come to know as well,” Bailey said.

The Tassie captain had to admit that one of Cosgrove’s strengths is he doesn’t have many weaknesses.

Nevertheless, the hosts are in a good position and aim to unsettle the 30-year-old early when play resumes on Thursday.

“If we can get a couple of early wickets, then that obviously puts them under a lot of pressure,” Bailey said.

“If they can get a partnership, then the game will be really in the balance.”

Tasmania lost 4-45 during the opening 75 minutes of play on Wednesday, finishing with a first-innings total of 362.

Paceman Trent Lawford was the pick of SA’s attack with 5-82 and helping closing down the Tigers’ tail end.

It was a shaky start for SA at the crease with Sam Raphael (six) caught at second slip in the eighth over off the bowling of Ben Hilfenhaus (1-26).

Replacement Callum Ferguson (19) was the next to go, dismissed lbw on a James Faulkner (1-20) delivery.

Then Tom Cooper (20) was caught behind off an Andrew Fekete (1-32) ball.

Not-out Cosgrove returns on Thursday with Travis Head (8 not out).