WA close in on first-innings points
Shaun Marsh was back among the runs as Western Australia ended the second day two runs short of claiming first-innings points against Queensland at the Gabba
ESPNcricinfo staff
07-Feb-2012
Western Australia 4 for 250 (Shaun Marsh 79, Davis 68) trail Queensland 251 (Lynn 80, Coulter-Nile 4-66) by one run
Scorecard
Scorecard
Shaun Marsh, who was dropped from the Australian team, following a poor Test series against India, was finally among the runs - despite some anxious moments - as he made 79 for Western Australia on the second day in their Sheffield Shield game against Queensland at the Gabba.
Marsh, who made four ducks in his previous seven Test innings, started shakily, when he was beaten first ball by Luke Feldman. He then survived a close lbw shout off Ben Cutting; the bowler also failed to hold on to a tough return chance later. Just before tea, Marsh, on 34, was dropped at short-leg by Wade Townsend off legspinner Cameron Boyce. He made the most of the breaks to get some much-needed runs; his 79 included 13 boundaries before he was finally dismissed by Cameron Boyce, caught off a leading edge at gully.
Earlier, Chris Lynn, who was unbeaten on 57 at stumps on the first day, helped take the Bulls to 251 before they were dismissed. Lynn and No. 8 Cameron Boyce had put an unbroken stand of 28 for the eight wicket, and the duo added a further 21 runs before Boyce was caught by Adam Voges off fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile. Coulter-Nile followed that up with the dismissal of Alister McDermott to end with figures of 4 for 66. Lynn was the last batsman to fall for 80, giving Nathan Rimmington his third wicket.
The Warriors started solidly, with Wes Robinson and Liam Davis putting on 79 runs for the first wicket. Robinson fell in the post-lunch session, bowled by Luke Feldman for 42. That brought Marsh to the crease and he was involved in two steadying partnerships - 99 for the second wicket with Davis (68) and 56 for the third with captain Marcus North. Marsh was dismissed in the 69th over and North fell in the next over to leave the Warriors at 4 for 234. Voges and Mitchell Marsh then held firm, till play was called off due to bad light, to leave the Warriors just two runs short of claiming first-innings points.