Love and Nash leave WA struggling

Queensland 9 for 415 (Nash 107, Love 106, Hartley 73) lead Western Australia 190 by 225 runs
Scorecard

Centuries by Martin Love and Brendan Nash left Queensland in total control at the end of the second day of their Pura Cup match against Western Australia at the WACA. They ended on 9 for 415, a first-innings lead of 225 runs. There were runs, too, for Chris Hartley who made 73.

The day had started well enough for WA, who captured two early wickets with the cheap dismissals of Clinton Perren and Lachlan Stevens, who were both caught behind (127 for 4).

But Love stayed firm and marked his return to form with a stylish 106 which he carved out over four hours. He played particularly well through the offside, teasing the ball through the gaps despite a heavily loaded offside field and will be relieved to have finally come good, having averaged 14.88 in his nine previous innings this season.

The Bulls' other centurion, Nash, also had a point to prove: it is his first match this season and his 107 should ensure that it won't be his last. He put on 94 runs for the fifth wicket with Love to hand Queensland the advantage. Hartley and Nash then extended the lead, sharing a sixth-wicket stand of 114.

Steve Magoffin was the pick of WA's attack, taking 3 for 76 against his old side, although his showing was marred by 13 no-balls. WA's hopes of appearing in the Pura Cup final are fast receding. They need an outright win to have any hope, but their chances are looking slimmer and slimmer against Queensland who have not conceded a point to the Warriors at the WACA in six years.