Rain allows Western Australia to escape after Fraser-McGurk's onslaught

Western Australia were 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 to 87 for 5 and 134 for 7 in Friday's One-Day Cup season-opener against South Australia at the WACA Ground, with Henry Thornton ripping through them with 4 for 52, before new recruit Kieran Elliott helped lift the home side to a respectable 238 for 9.

In reply, South Australia were cruising at 58 without loss after 7.4 overs before rain forced the match to be abandoned.

Jake Fraser-McGurk had looked set to rip the contest apart, but with the rain not allowing SA to face at least 15 overs, the visitors were forced to share the spoils.

WA had to rely on a fast-bowling veteran to get them to a competitive total. Elliott arrived from Tasmania looking for more opportunities after being restricted to just 13 first-class matches for his previous state.

The 31-year-old was expected to make an impact with the ball after being handed his one-day debut by WA. But after they sunk to 134 for 7, 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.

His 69-run, eighth-wicket stand with Brody Couch ensured WA avoided complete disaster, with the subsequent rain then also coming to the home side's aid.

"Jake batted incredibly well, so potentially we dodged a bullet with the rain the way we were heading," Elliott conceded after the match.

Elliott, who finished with figures of 0 for 27 from 3.4 overs, was handed his WA cap by recently-retired paceman Matt Kelly at the start of the match.

"It was a big move coming from Melbourne to Tassie and now to WA," Elliott said. "Kel's a mate of mine, he has been for a number of years. There was a bit of emotion there, him having been such a good person and good cricketer for WA over a long period of time.

"I haven't had a white-ball opportunity before, so it was great to get out there. I probably wouldn't have had scoring a half-century on my bingo card this morning, to be honest"