Blues struggle despite Katich hundred

New South Wales 6 for 196 (Katich 108*, Magoffin 4-37) trail Western Australia 351 (Voges 144*, Rogers 84, Ronchi 70, MacGill 6-118) by 155 runs
Scorecard

Simon Katich has reminded the Australia selectors they have ample middle-order batsmen at their disposal with a century in his first Pura Cup match of the season. Katich played virtually a lone hand as New South Wales staggered to 6 for 196 in reply to Western Australia's 351. Katich reached 108 not out at stumps but could only put together one partnership of any substance, a 117-run stand with Dominic Thornely (45) for the third wicket.

Steve Magoffin was the destroyer for the Warriors, picking up two early wickets and two late to finish with 4 for 37. He claimed both the openers within the first nine overs to have the Blues looking shaky at 2 for 13. Ed Cowan was caught at second slip by Marcus North for 2 and the in-form Phil Jaques fell to a spectacular catch by Brad Hogg at deep point for 7.

Magoffin also snared the key wicket of Brad Haddin caught behind for 15 as Katich's partners continued to fall around him. Katich batted for more than four hours and put away 13 fours and one six to keep his side in with a slim chance of taking first-innings points.

Western Australia added 55 to their overnight total of 7 for 296 before they were bowled out shortly before lunch. The fast-bowling debutant Tim Macdonald batted for nearly two hours for his 17 and Magoffin added 16 but Stuart MacGill ensured the tail did not wag too vigorously, taking all three remaining wickets to finish with 6 for 118 in his 43rd over. He will be on a hat-trick in the second innings after trapping the No. 11 Ben Edmondson for a first-ball 0.

Adam Voges remained not out on 144 and now has the rather ridiculous average of 300 in the Pura Cup this season having scored two big unbeaten centuries. Voges, usually an attacking batsman, was at the crease for just over seven hours and hit 16 fours from his 308 deliveries.