Four final session wickets has brought a determined Western Australia outfit right back into their vital Bupa Sheffield Shield clash with New South Wales at stumps on day one at the WACA Ground.
The Blues are 7-291 at stumps, having been 3-234 early in the final session, in the clash between the third-placed Warriors and the ladder leaders who came into the game separated by only four points on the table.
Jason Behrendorff was the pick of the persistent WA attack with 3-43 from 18 overs, but two late wickets from Michael Hogan (2-36) helped the hosts take a big psychological advantage into the second day.
NSW opener Ryan Carters led the way for his side crafting a fine score of 104 before being the first man to fall in the final session. Mitch Marsh took Carters’ wicket, during a fierce spell.
Earlier, Blues captain Peter Nevill won the toss and elected to bat on a good batting pitch.
NSW made 2-78 in the first session, with Duffield and Behrendorff dismissing Nic Maddinson (11) and Scott Henry (18), both caught by Marsh.
However, Maddinson survived two close calls, with chances in the slips not going to hand.
Carters combined with Ben Rohrer for a 110-run stand, largely during the middle session, with the latter accelerating the run rate.
Rohrer’s 77 came from 110 deliveries and included 10 boundaries, before he nicked one to Whiteman off Behrendorff.
Carters brought up his century in the final session, but fell shortly after, getting a fine edge on a delivery from Marsh.
The Warriors took the new ball immediately at the 80-over mark and Behrendorff struck three balls later, clean bowling Kurtis Patterson for 29.
Hogan dismissed Trent Copeland late in the day, with skipper Adam Voges taking a sharp catch at first slip.
The 31-year-old fast bowler also trapped Nevill LBW for 30 with the final ball of the day to give the Warriors the momentum.
Hogan’s two late wickets also took his 2013-14 Shield season tally to 29 wickets, the most of any bowler in the competition this season.
Play resumes on Friday at 10.30am.
NSW 7-291 (Carters 104, Rohrer 77; Behrendorff 3-43, Hogan 2-36) v Alcohol.Think Again Western Warriors, WACA Ground
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author, a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications and a complete cricket badger!
Latest posts by James Buttler (see all)
- #UAE15: Bon voyage Derbyshire as Champions Yorkshire land in Abu Dhabi - March 13, 2015
- Sussex sign Mahela Jayawardene for NatWest T20 Blast - March 13, 2015
- #CWC15: Shami books India into World Cup quarter after West Indies win - March 6, 2015
