Tough start to WA's One-Day Cup campaign

WA was able to "dodge a bullet" after an unheralded tail-ender and some timely rain ensured they avoided defeat in their first competitive match under new coach Beau Casson.

WA had slumped first to 5-87 and then 7-134 in Friday's One-Day Cup season-opener against South Australia at the WACA Ground, with Henry Thornton ripping through them with 4-52, before new recruit Kieran Elliott (53no off 71 balls) helped lift the home side to a respectable 9-238.

In reply, South Australia were cruising at 0-58 after 7.4 overs before rain forced the match to be abandoned.

Jake Fraser-McGurk (46no off 33 balls) had looked set to rip the contest apart, but with the rain not allowing the Redbacks to face at least 15 overs, South Australia were forced to share the spoils in a 'no result'.

Earlier, WA had to rely on a fast-bowling veteran to get them to a competitive total.

Elliott arrived at the Warriors from Tasmania looking for more opportunities after being restricted to just 13 first-class matches for the Tigers, and the 31-year-old was expected to make an impact with the ball after being handed his one-day debut by WA.

But after the Warriors sunk to 7-134, it was with the bat that Elliott truly flourished.

Coming in at No.8, he struck an unbeaten half-century to lift WA out of trouble.

In the second game of the season, visiting captain Jordan Silk won the toss and inserted WA, as Riley Meredith claimed a superb 4-11 from eight overs and Beau Webster took 3-31 to help dismiss the hosts for 115 in 30.2 overs.

Only four batters reached double figures, and none made it to 20.

In reply, Tasmania wasted no time in blasting to 1-117 from just 16.2 overs.

Openers Mitchell Owen (43) and Caleb Jewell (41no) ensured there would be no nervous moments chasing the modest target in combining for an opening stand of 76 from 9.1 overs.

Webster then followed his strong work with the ball by contributing an unbeaten 26 off as many deliveries as Tasmania humbled the home team.