NSW share top spot after easy eight-wicket win

New South Wales 7 for 475 dec and 2 for 91 beat Western Australia 176 and 386 (Rogers 161, Nicholson 3-80, Clark 3-94) by eight wickets
Scorecard

New South Wales continued their impressive Pura Cup defence with a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Western Australia at the WACA. Needing 88 to win, the Blues passed the target for the loss of only two wickets to secure a perfect start to the summer and put them on top of the table with Victoria after two rounds.

At lunch the Blues were nine short of the target, but they breezed home after the break with the unbeaten pair of Matthew Phelps (22) and Dominic Thornely (8). Phil Jaques and Greg Mail, who departed after the wicketkeeper Ryan Campbell took a smart diving chance, were the casualties in the small run-chase.

The Blues stormed through the Western Australia lower order in the morning session and knocked over the final four wickets in 18 balls to end any hope of the home side setting a competitive target. Matthew Nicholson picked up three wickets while Stuart Clark was unable to attempt his hat-trick when he finished them off by dismissing Chris Rogers, whose resistance ended on 161, and Mathew Innes in successive balls.

Western Australia, who have no points despite two home fixtures, fell behind in the first innings with a disappointing 176 and only the follow-on effort of Rogers, who was 155 overnight, made sure New South Wales were forced to bat again. Aaron O'Brien, the New South Wales batsman, was Man of the Match after scoring his maiden century on Monday.