Voges ton, Whiteman guide WA to handy lead

Ed Cowan retired hurt and will take no further part in the match after being struck on the helmet by a Joel Paris bouncer as New South Wales started out in their effort to reel in a first innings deficit against Western Australia on day three of the Sheffield Shield match in Christchurch.

Only four more deliveries were bowled after Cowan's blow before the umpires decided to end the day early due to bad light. Momentarily stunned and distressed, Cowan was able to make his own way off the field after speaking with the NSW team doctor - and Cricket Australia chief medical officer - John Orchard.

Under CA's concussion and head trauma policy, overseen by Orchard, any symptoms of possible concussion require full off-field assessment and a conservative recovery plan. It states in part:

"The full assessment is critical in determining medical management decisions for the participant. Serious head injury cannot be ruled out by a 30 second assessment due to the variability of the presentation of symptoms, delay in evolution of presentation of symptoms, difficulty in making a timely diagnosis and the specificity and sensitivity of sideline assessment tools."

The bulk of the day saw WA's batsmen dominate, with the Test No. 5 Adam Voges making a patient 149 as the backbone of the innings. He was aided by a fluent 93 from the wicketkeeper Sam Whiteman, while Nathan Rimmington enjoyed himself in making 48 down the order.

Doug Bollinger, Trent Copeland and the Test spinner Nathan Lyon claimed three wickets apiece, though all were taken for more than 100 runs each as the Warriors settled in on a friendly batting pitch at Bert Sutcliffe Oval.

Left with a handful of overs before the close, Paris struck quickly by bowling Daniel Hughes, before the blow to Cowan had Lyon coming out to bat as nightwatchman. The Blues still need another 78 runs on the final morning to get back into credit.