Cooper 99 makes it SA's day

99 from Redbacks batsman Tom Cooper has given South Australia a stranglehold on their Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia at the Adelaide Oval.

Cooper fell to Joel Paris one run short of his 14th first class century, as South Australia closed on 8-352.

Western Australia won the toss through stand in captain Shaun Marsh and elected to bowl under overcast skies, Joel Paris and Matt Kelly striking early to leave the Redbacks in trouble at 2-25.

Henry Hunt (11) was adjudged caught behind off Paris, despite evidence of the ball striking pad rather than bat.

Callum Ferguson fell for a duck, Kelly removing the South Australian veteran.

Jake Weatherald and Redbacks captain Travis Head rebuilt the innings, adding 86 runs with Head departing for 46 on the stroke of lunch.

Opener Weatherald reached 50 after the interval but fell to David Moody, caught by captain Marsh at second slip for 60.

It was one of three dismissals the pair shared either side of lunch, Will Bosisto (7) falling cheaply against his former state to leave SA in trouble at 5-143.

Wicketkeeper Harry Nielsen and Cooper recovered the situation with an 80 run stand, Nielsen making 53 before becoming Moody's third victim.

Cooper then took complete command of proceedings with the tail for company, looking set for a century before losing his stumps to Paris, having struck twelve fours and faced 136 balls.

Chadd Sayers played his shots late in the day to make 38*, Daniel Worrall with him on 19 as the Redbacks head in to day two in a strong position.

Moody and Paris each have three wickets for WA, one scalp apiece for Kelly and Marcus Stoinis.

Play resumes at 8:00 AM AWST (10:30 AM SA) Saturday morning, live on 91.3 Sport FM.

IMAGE: Herald Sun.