Blues take control in battle of the cellar dwellers

New South Wales 0 for 49 trail Western Australia 210 (Heal 66, Cockley 4-37) by 161 runs
Scorecard
Points table

New South Wales started well in their bid to avoid finishing the season with the wooden spoon after Burt Cockley's early burst helped them knock over Western Australia for 210. By stumps the Blues, who are four points behind the Warriors, had cut 49 from their initial target, with Ed Cowan on 28 and Greg Mail 18 not out.

Aaron Heal's 66 added some respectability to the Warriors' total after they joined the day of batting difficulties in all three games. They dropped to 7 for 85 after Cockley stormed through the line-up with 4 for 37.

The openers Luke Towers and Liam Davis went to catches to the wicketkeeper Daniel Smith and the Warriors were 3 for 36 when Wes Robinson was run out. David Bandy, Luke Pomersbach and Adam Voges joined the procession, which ended when Heal and Josh Mangan combined after Michael Johnson departed. They put on 90 for the eighth wicket until Heal was dismissed by Nathan Bracken.

Mangan earned 38 and Brett Dorey picked up 21 to extend the total further. A week after being stopped from bowling for two high full-toss, Beau Casson gained some confidence with 2 for 65.