Cameron Bancroft blunts Western Australia to a strong position

Western Australia pushed towards a position from which they can seek the outright win they need to make the Sheffield Shield final after Queensland failed to do significant first innings damage with the bat on day two at the WACA Ground in Perth.

Queensland had rolled Western Australia for 138 on the opening day as Michael Neser pursued an Ashes berth with Dukes ball proficiency. After Neser and Sam Heazlett had been separated on the second morning, having added 72 together, the visitors managed to forge a lead of only 37 and so kept Western Australia in the game.

They were then afforded a solid second innings platform by Cameron Bancroft and Sam Whiteman, who pushed Western Australia into the lead and effectively shielded the middle order from the new ball. Bancroft was only to get as far as 52 and Whiteman 30, but their stand slowed the previously frenetic rush of wickets.

Granted the aforementioned protection, Western Australia captain Mitchell Marsh was able to put together the foundations of a major innings, joined for a partnership worth 74 by Hilton Cartwright and then to the close by Josh Philippe.

At the end of a wretched season, Marsh now has the chance to lead his side to the competition decider, chasing the Shield title that has now eluded the Warriors for 20 years.