Reigning champions Western Australia fought back to trail leaders Tasmania by 65 runs with six wickets in hand after a dramatic first day of their Sheffield Shield match in Hobart.

After routing Tasmania for 183 in 49 overs, WA stumbled to 28 for 3 before reaching stumps on 118 for 4 through the efforts of Jayden Goodwin.

WA captain Sam Whiteman’s decision to bowl first on a tricky Blundstone Arena paid dividends as the visitors tore through Tasmania’s top-order.

After losing opener Tim Ward on the first ball of the match, Tasmania’s day didn’t get much better. It could still have been worse for the home side, who were reeling at 19 for and 90 for 6.

But an accomplished 63 from Bradley Hope, who grew up in WA, and captain Jordan Silk pushed them to a more competitive score.

WA quick Joel Paris, who started the carnage with the dismissal of Ward, was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 48.Tasmania’s batters tried to go after Cameron Gannon but he finished with 3 for 49 from eight overs.

Like Tasmania, WA found themselves in early trouble with the bat as snubbed Test hopeful Cameron Bancroft fell for 2 in the third over.

The visitors top order collapsed, with Tasmanian debutant Kieran Elliott snaring the wicket of Test No.4 Cameron Green when he was trapped lbw

But No.3 Goodwin and veteran allrounder Hilton Cartwright helped steady the innings.

WA will resume their innings on Saturday hoping they can the ruin Tasmania’s prospects of hosting the Shield final. They sit top of the table with three games to be completed, while WA are third having had an inconsistent title defence so far.