Marsh and Pomersbach set up Warriors victory

Western Australia 265 and 2 for 224 (Pomersbach 78, Marsh 74*) beat New South Wales 177 and 310 by eight wickets
Scorecard

Luke Pomersbach and Shaun Marsh got Western Australia away to the perfect start in the Sheffield Shield as they cruised to an eight-wicket win over the reigning champions New South Wales. Chasing 224 on the final day at the WACA, the Warriors made the target look easy thanks to a 112-run second-wicket stand from Marsh and Pomersbach.

The men have become an almost inseparable duo over the past year, during which they have been suspended by Western Australia due to missing a team curfew, recruited by Kings XI Punjab in the IPL, and built some important partnerships for the Warriors. Both men also made their debuts for Australia over the past 12 months and the Western Australia top order is looming as a dangerous line-up this year.

The Warriors began the day at 0 for 52 and the early loss of Liam Davis, who was lbw to Grant Lambert for 41, gave the Blues a sniff. They were then on the wrong end of a powerful display from Pomersbach, who struck four sixes and nine fours in his 74-ball stay, which ended with victory in sight when he was caught for 78.

Marcus North joined Marsh, who finished unbeaten on 74, as Western Australia made what should have been a strong New South Wales attack look distinctly unthreatening. The Blues were not helped by a minor knee injury to Beau Casson, who bowled only one over in the second innings.