Blues continue to dominate Warriors

Western Australia 5 for 115 trail New South Wales 7 for 475 dec (O'Brien 147, Thornely 92, Lambert 66) by 360 runs
Scorecard

Without their Test stars, New South Wales' unsung heroes continued to control the match against Western Australia at Perth. They finished the second day 360 runs ahead and have only five more WA first-innings wickets to take.

Aaron O'Brien and Dominic Thornely added 27 runs to their overnight stand of 169 before Thornely fell eight runs short of his sixth first-class hundred. His wicket brought Grant Lambert to the crease and he ensured that WA would fail to capitalise on the breakthrough by clubbing his first 50 at this level and combining for 83 with O'Brien for the fifth wicket. After reaching his maiden first-class hundred in seven matches, O'Brien added 47 further runs, allowing NSW to declare on 7 for 475 - their highest score at Perth for 15 years - as Damien Martyn's bowlers suffered.

Worse was to come for Martyn, who came to the crease at 2 for 17 after the experienced Murray Goodwin and Chris Rogers fell for 13 and 7. Martyn made 25 before falling to a catch behind and his claims for a Test recall continue to stutter. The captain Matthew Nicholson picked up three wickets as WA closed in deep trouble.

The WA coach Wayne Clark was disappointed with his side's efforts. "We just haven't executed well and our bowling hasn't stepped up," he told AAP. "We've just got to re-group and make sure we put a good effort in for the remainder of this game. Obviously we're not in a position to win the game now, we're trying to get the two points and that'll be a big battle. We've just got to save a bit of face really."