Warriors extend lead after taking first-innings points

Western Australia 351 and 2 for 151 (Rogers 73, Heron 45*) lead New South Wales 314 (Katich 165, Magoffin 4-63) by 188 runs
Scorecard

A seven-hour 165 from Simon Katich was not enough to earn New South Wales the lead against Western Australia after Brad Hogg wrapped up the Blues' innings with 38 runs still required. Katich and Matthew Nicholson put on 84 for the eighth wicket to give their side hope but the Blues lost their last three wickets for 13 to hand the Warriors first-innings points. At stumps Chris Rogers and Clint Heron had helped Western Australia extend their lead to 188.

Katich and Beau Casson started the day with plenty of work ahead of them at 6 for 196, needing 352. Things looked even more grim for the Blues when Casson was caught behind off Hogg for 12 but Nicholson dug in with Katich for nearly two hours, advancing the score to 301 before he was bowled by Ben Edmondson for 38.

Thirteen runs later Hogg effectively ended the New South Wales resistance when he lured Katich, who had struck 20 fours and one six, into giving Adam Voges a lofted catch at deep mid-off. In his next over, Hogg picked up the final wicket when Stuart MacGill (0) skied a catch to Shaun Marsh at cover.

With just under a day-and-a-half to play, Rogers quickly set about establishing a target, racing to a half-century from 58 balls. It was the fifth time he had passed fifty in seven Pura Cup innings this season and reminded the Australia selectors that Phil Jaques was not the only opener knocking on the door for a place in the Test team. He was eventually out to Casson for 73, which included seven fours and one six.

Marsh was run out for 2 but Heron and North continued to frustrate the New South Wales bowlers and took the score to 2 for 151 at stumps. North was on 29 not out and Heron was unbeaten on 45.