WA soar after Bancroft, Klinger epic

Western Australia 1 for 320 (Klinger 159*, Bancroft 144*) trail New South Wales 407 by 87 runs
Scorecard

Cameron Bancroft and Michael Klinger added a Sheffield Shield record 317 unbroken runs for the second wicket, as Western Australia made a strong reply to New South Wales' first-innings score of 407.

The pair batted together for nearly 134 overs after Marcus Harris was dismissed early, as Western Australia reached a commanding 1 for 320 at stumps on the penultimate day. Both batsmen scored at a slow pace - Western Australia got their runs at 2.35 an over - but it was enough to break the record held by Martin Love and Jimmy Maher, who had put up a 297-run stand for Queensland.

New South Wales used as many as seven bowlers to snip the partnership, but to no avail, with Nathan Lyon in particular hurling down 32 overs without reward. Bancroft hit 19 fours during his third first-class ton, an unbeaten 144, while Klinger's 159 not out featured 20 fours and two sixes. Their efforts meant that Western Australia were only 87 runs adrift going into the final day, and have almost certainly sealed a draw as well as a place in the final against Victoria.