Langer finds some touch

He was heckled by a spectator, and took a while to start finding the middle of his bat, but Western Australia captain Justin Langer had the last laugh with a determined return to form in the Pura Cup match against New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground today.

Brimming with renewed confidence late on day three, Langer hit a succession of boundaries to finish unbeaten on 81 in WA's second innings of 1-154.

NSW claimed first innings points by making 436, a lead of 60, but a draw was the most likely result going into the final day unless the Blues bowlers, headed by spinners Simon Katich and Liam Zammit, are able to take a bundle of quick wickets early tomorrow morning on a turning track.

The best players over the first three days have all been from WA - but two of them are playing for NSW.

Simon Katich (182 not out) and Matthew Nicholson (42), both formerly of the Warriors, ensured the Blues motored past WA's first innings of 376 with a brisk 84-run partnership.

Katich was superb in his 425-minute, 326-ball stay, punching 23 fours and a six into the Brewongle Stand, while Nicholson offered invaluable support and clubbed medium-pacer Peter Worthington for three fours in an over to earn the Blues the two points.

Langer and his opening partner Mike Hussey arrived at the crease just before 3pm and took their time to get going, dead-batting the majority of deliveries against the new ball.

Nicholson's opening salvo of the innings jumped sharply off a good length and caught Langer on the gloves, but the ball fell away from the ring of fieldsmen.

A member of the crowd yelled disparaging remarks at the WA skipper straight after tea, but the heckler was silenced when Langer started swinging freely thereafter, with NSW employing no less than eight bowlers.

Hussey showed glimpses of his prolific English county form with a carefully crafted 53.

He was caught by Phil Jaques attempting to hook NSW captain Steve Waugh just seven overs before stumps, but nightwatchman Beau Casson hung around to make an unbeaten 17.

Langer's previous highest score in six innings this season for Australia and WA had been 26 in the first Test against Zimbabwe. He charged Zammit and hit the 22-year-old back over his head for four and six from successive deliveries to confirm his departure from the mini-slump.