Telling spell from Lance Morris gives WA a strong start in Sheffield Shield opener against NSW

Dunsborough’s Lance Morris sent tongues wagging across the country on Monday, with his brilliant bowling giving WA a handy start in their Sheffield Shield opener against NSW.

Warriors paceman 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 the opening day.

In reply, WA were dismissed for 258, giving them a lead of 78 runs heading into the penultimate day’s play.

Morris was the hero of the day one, with the 24-year-old’s second five-wicket haul putting WA in the box seat before the home side’s 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. We know NSW are going to come back pretty hard, 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).

The five-wicket haul was complete when Morris dismissed tail-ender Chris Tremain.

In reply, the Warriors fell in a hole early at 2-9, after Bunbury’s Sam Whiteman and Cameron Bancroft both fell cheaply.

Up stepped teenage sensation Teague Wyllie, a Peel region prodigy tipped for baggy green honours in coming years, who blasted 104 off 204 balls to ensure the home side was able to post a defendable target.

The Perth metropolitan area received 6mm of rain early on Wednesday, with these lingering showers potentially interrupting play on day three.