WA on top despite Cowan, Hughes fifties

Ed Cowan and Daniel Hughes made half-centuries as New South Wales chipped away at Western Australia's hefty first-innings score, but the Warriors remained on top at the close of the second day in Perth. Both teams remain in the hunt for a place in the Sheffield Shield final against Victoria, but for Western Australia to jump into the decider from fifth place would be an especially fine effort.

The Warriors began the day on 5 for 360 and the retiring Adam Voges raised a half-century, as did wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, before Western Australia lost three wickets with the score on 406. Voges was caught behind off Harry Conway for 72, Inglis was bowled by William Somerville for 54, and Cameron Green also fell to Conway for a duck with no addition to the total.

Having declared at 9 for 436, Western Australia had to watch on as Cowan and Hughes put on 113 for the second wicket, each reaching 69, before Cowan was lbw to allrounder Hilton Cartwright to end the stand. Hughes fell to Simon Mackin and the loss of Peter Nevill for 33 in the last over of the day left Moises Henriques unbeaten on 35, with the Blues on 5 for 242 and trailing by 194.