North gives WA upper hand

Marcus North's second successive century has pushed Western Australia towards a respectable first innings total in its crunch Pura Cup match against South Australia.

The 22-year-old left-hander showed an excellent temperament in his unbeaten 103 against a disciplined Redbacks attack to leave the Warriors at 4-272 at stumps on day one.

He and Chris Rogers (52no) combined for an unbeaten 117-run fifth wicket partnership to take the initiative away from SA at the WACA ground.

It was another timely knock for North after his double century in the Warriors' remarkable win over Victoria at the MCG just over a week ago.

He came in at the fall of captain Simon Katich (32) with the Warriors in a precarious state at 2-61.

But North, who has now scored 605 runs at 55 in the Pura Cup this season, kept the Redbacks' bowlers at bay on a pitch which offered them some assistance early on.

The Warriors' batsmen were very patient throughout the day before North and Rogers upped the tempo in the final hour of the day.

Both teams remain in the hunt for a berth in next week's final but need large victories to enhance their prospects.

Redbacks captain Greg Blewett's decision to send the Warriors into bat looked a wise one early when paceman Paul Rofe (2-43) removed Murray Goodwin (3).

Rofe had the former Zimbabwean Test batsman edging a ball to Brad Young in slips to have WA at 1-8.

It was a disappointing result for the 29-year-old who was looking to kickstart his first class career with his recall to the Warriors' lineup.

Opener Michael Hussey and Simon Katich then steadied the ship before Katich (32) was trapped in front just before lunch by Mike Smith (1-60).

Hussey (39) then threw his innings away when he hit a ball to extra cover for Rofe's second wicket after toiling away for three hours at the crease.

Returning paceman Paul Wilson (1-74) then put the Redbacks well and truly back in the final over of the middle session when he had the dangerous Ryan Campbell (34) lbw to leave the match to have WA at 4-155.