White century fails to save Victoria

Western Australia 9 for 428 dec and 5 for 277 dec beat Victoria 251 and 334 (White 149*, North 3-53) by 120 runs
Scorecard

Cameron White's first Pura Cup century of the season was not enough for Victoria to stave off defeat in a tight finish against Western Australia in Perth. White remained unbeaten on 149 when he finally ran out of partners when Mathew Inness trapped Allan Wise lbw as the last session drew to a close.

Victoria were chasing 455 and despite losing early wickets - they were 2 for 27 - it looked like White was still keen to push for the win as they tried to improve their chances of hosting the Pura Cup final. He hammered 24 fours and four sixes in his 196-ball innings and reached triple-figures from 124 deliveries.

Two wickets in two balls from Brett Dorey gave the Warriors hope - he removed Brad Hodge for 45 and Andrew McDonald for 0 - before White and Matthew Wade staged a fightback. Their 116-run sixth wicket stand left the Bushrangers with an unlikely, but not impossible, target of 227 from the final session.

However, the Western Australia captain Marcus North had Wade lbw for 35 and then picked up two more wickets to bring the victory closer. Bryce McGain batted with White for nearly an hour before North and Inness finished the job by removing McGain, Shane Harwood and Wise within the space of ten overs.

Victoria's loss means they remain locked with New South Wales, who drew their match against Tasmania, on 33 points. The Bushrangers and Blues will fight for the right to host the decider when they each begin their last preliminary game on Friday - Victoria host Queensland while New South Wales are at home to South Australia.