Copeland's haul lifts New South Wales pursuit of final berth

New South Wales' pacemen bared their teeth to grant the visitors a chance to press for outright victory and a place in the Sheffield Shield final against Victoria with one day of the match against Tasmania remaining.

At 2 for 145 on the third morning with Alex Doolan and Matthew Wade well entrenched, it appeared that the Tigers would take some serious dislodging with more than half of the game's available playing time elapsed while Western Australia, the other team with a chance of the final, were making good progress against Queensland.

However, the ever reliable Trent Copeland was able to find a way through Doolan's defences to open up one end, and when the Blues captain Moises Henriques teased a catch out of Wade, the game had turned.

Wicketkeeping debutant Baxter Holt then enjoyed a passage replete with action, snaffling five catches in quick time including two in as many balls twice from Copeland and then Harry Conway. Ben McDermott, lacking support, was last out for 53.

In seeking a lead the Blues did not have it all their own way, tied down by the new ball and then losing two wickets in three balls, the second of them the captain Kurtis Patterson, to the swing and seam of Gabe Bell. Henriques was able to reclaim some momentum, leaving the Blues in control of their destiny.