Voges holds key to WA's survival

Western Australia 190 and 4 for 284 (Voges 119*, Doran 2-67) lead Queensland 470 (Nash 107, Love 106, Hartley 73) by 4 runs
Scorecard

Adam Voges brought up his hundred from 101 balls, but his work is only half done for Western Australia © Getty Images

Western Australia face an uphill battle to avoid falling to their fifth defeat of the season, as Queensland continued their control of the match on the third day at Perth.

Starting the day on 9 for 419, Michael Kasprowicz helped Daniel Doran put on 73 for the final wicket, to pile the misery on Western Australia's shoulders. Queensland were eventually dismissed for 470 and, buoyed by their late run-flurry, were convinced they had Justin Langer caught behind off Andy Bichel, but the decision was turned down.

Langer went on to score 51, and with Clint Heron put on 64 for the first wicket before Doran bowled him for 15. Langer, threatening a big score, was run out after making his fifty and Western Australia slipped to 3 for 103.

Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh then put on a crucial 110-run stand, but Marsh fell to Kasprowicz shortly after tea and, although Voges remains unbeaten on 119, Western Australia lead by just four runs going into the final day.

Western Australia coach Wayne Clark cited his team's poor performances on the opening days of matches as the key reason to their disappointing season. "That's been our downfall a couple of times this year, just our first day," Clark told AAP. "Especially batting at the WACA. We've had a couple of ordinary days and you're on the back foot from then on. It's unfortunate on a wicket that's proving to be a pretty good batting wicket."

Despite his disappointment, Clark remained optimistic of a positive outcome. "We've still got wickets in hand," he said. "Hopefully we can post a bit of a score that will give them a few little butterflies. Who knows?"