Victoria set to chase 361

Victoria 206 and 0 for 43 need a further 318 runs to beat Western Australia 225 and 341 (Rogers 66, North 63)
Scorecard
Points table

Western Australia were in control at the end of the third day at St Kilda and have a chance of sealing a berth in the Pura Cup final. However, Victoria, set a stiff target of 361, began their chase confidently, ending on 0 for 43.

Building on their slender first-innings lead of 21, the Warriors were well placed through the day thanks to half-centuries by Chris Rogers and Marcus North. Rogers played positively for his 66, hitting eight boundaries before edging to Nathan Pillon, the wicketkeeper, off Shane Harwood. His dismissal ended a 110-run partnership with Shaun Marsh (37) and North and Adam Voges followed by adding 91 for the fourth wicket. North made up for his first-innings duck with a fluent 63 that gave Western Australia the advantage.

After North's dismissal, with the score on 5 for 232, a spirited display by the lower order took the initiative further away from the Bushrangers. Brett Dorey, following his six-wicket haul in the first innings, scored 36, as the last three batsmen added 65 and pushed the lead past 350. Harwood, who was recently recommended by his team-mate Shane Warne for a place in the national side, was the pick of the Victoria bowlers, taking 3 for 45.

Lloyd Mash and Jason Arnberger, the Victoria openers, played out 15 overs without losing a wicket, and they need a further 318 on the final day if they are to qualify for the final against Queensland.