Josh Inglis’ second first-innings century in as many matches has thrust his name into national team calculations and put Western Australia in the box-seat to claim their first win of the Sheffield Shield season.

The wicket-keeper’s score of 101 helped WA to 332 and a first-innings lead of 55 against Tasmania at the WACA Ground on Tuesday.

Then a final-session collapse reminiscent of the one that ended last year’s final and triggered by rapid quick Brody Couch, has Tasmania on the cusp of defeat.

The visitors are 9-135 and led by 73 runs when bad light stopped play 10 minutes before stumps and with 12 overs yet to bowl.

In dramatic scenes, WA batter Hilton Cartwright returned to the crease on day three after retiring at tea on Monday to be at the hospital as his wife Tameka gave birth to their second child.

The couple welcomed their baby in the early hours of Tuesday morning and Cartwright returned to the ground, adding 13 to his overnight total to finish on 65.

Tasmanian quick Riley Meredith appeared to exchange words with the WA all-rounder after taking his wicket.

Inglis’ century, recovering the innings from a top-order wobble, stamps him as the most reliable domestic batter in the country so far this season and could leave national selectors considering him an option for the Test team this summer.

The wicket-keeper passed 100 off 138 balls moments after a 161-run partnership with all-rounder Cooper Connolly came to an end. Tigers all-rounder Beau Webster dismissed both batters.

“He’s one of the most in-form batters in the comp ... he’s flying at the moment, so hopefully he can keep going,” teammate Couch said.

Alex Carey continued his red-hot form for South Australia with another century of his own, while opening candidate Sam Konstas made 43 for New South Wales.

Corey Rocchiccioli made 20 and Couch crawled crawled to 15 to push WA out to their lead. Then the two combined to roll through Tasmania.

“We’ve set the game up now and we are in a strong position, it’s just (about) keep working hard and finish the game tomorrow,” Couch said.

Couch rushed Jake Weatherald on the back foot and the opener was caught at mid-wicket for four, then Cam Gannon bowled a rip-snorter Caleb Jewell could only fend behind to Inglis for five.

Charlie Wakim’s 74-balls of graft were worth 37, but ended when he was caught at square-leg by Mitch Marsh trying to pull Couch.

An unplayable ball pushed across Jake Doran by Aaron Hardie was caught behind and snapped a middle-order fightback, before Couch took another and Rocchiccioli — and some shrewd captaincy — had Mitch Owen caught at a funky fly slip.

Cartwright’s second child was born in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The all-rounder chose to play because it was not expected the birth would clash.

Tasmania was made aware of his situation during the innings break on Monday.

“My wife Tameka was only just 37 weeks pregnant so this match against Tassie was never meant to be effected by the birth of our second child which is why I chose to play,” Cartwright said.

“She experienced some complications over the weekend which led to a call from the obstetrician yesterday once I had already got to the ground.

“She recommended that the best course of action for the safety of mum and baby was to be induced that afternoon.”

Matt Kuhnemann will begin day four on five and Meredith on two.