Shaun Marsh fifty in vain as NSW go 95 ahead

Shaun Marsh continued his fine form in the lead-up to the first Test against India but it wasn't enough to prevent Western Australia from conceding a first-innings lead to New South Wales at Perth Stadium.

Trent Copeland claimed four wickets and Nathan Lyon three as WA were bowled out 63 runs behind the Blues. The visitors lost Daniel Hughes early but take a 95-run lead into day three with nine wickets in hand.

Marsh made his fifth score of 80 or more in seven innings since returning from the UAE. This was arguably his most patient. He came out in the fifth over of the day after Copeland trapped Will Bosisto lbw. Marsh absorbed 193 deliveries and managed just 12 fours while he watched five wickets fall at the other end.

Hilton Cartwright (29) and Ashton Turner (38) provided some support but neither could convert their starts as they fell to Lyon and Harry Conway respectively.

Mitchell Marsh fell cheaply, pinned lbw on the crease by a brilliant late inswinger from Copeland. Marcus Stoinis, keen to make his Test credentials known, was strangled down the legside for just 10.

It was Conway who claimed the key wicket of Shaun Marsh, taking the outside edge of his broad bat. WA's very capable tail folded meekly adding just 10 more runs to the total after Marsh's exit. Lyon claimed two of those, using some natural variation on the drop-in surface.

The Blues negotiated 16 overs late in the day for the loss of one wicket. Matthew Kelly picked up Hughes, caught behind off the inside edge.