Warriors fight back after Perren hundred

Queensland 354 and 8 for 289 (Perren 105) lead Western Australia 323 (North 88, Rogers 83, Bichel 3-70) by 320 runs
Scorecard

Late strikes by Western Australia kept them in the hunt for a place in the Pura Cup finals. Despite conceding a first-innings lead of 31, the Warriors fought back to reduce Queensland to 8 for 289, an overall deficit of 320. Western Australia need an outright win to book a place in the final, while Queensland are already through after gaining the two points.

The Warriors seemed out of the race when Clinton Perren, the Queensland opener, smashed a superb 105 to lead their second-innings charge. Perren's knock included 15 fours, but he was part of a collapse which resulted in four wickets going down for 27. Mike Hussey started the slide, getting rid of Andrew Symonds (24) and Perren, before Brad Williams and Steve Magoffin struck a blow each.

Andy Bichel ensured his side's progress to the final with three wickets in eight balls. Bichel also jumped past Craig McDermott's state record of 54 victims in 1989-90 and moved ahead of Jeff Thomson to become Queensland's third-highest wicket-taker. The Warriors, who were 6 for 317, appeared set to overhaul Queensland before Bichel arrived and Shane Watson removed Marcus North for 88 to close the innings.

If the match ends in a draw then Queensland will host the final, but if the Warriors win, the match will shift to Perth due to Western Australia's better quotient. Perren insisted that the team would fight hard to ensure that the match would be held at the Gabba. "We've got to work hard for 96 overs tomorrow because a home final against whoever is what we want," he said.

"It makes a huge difference [hosting the final]. There's nothing quite like playing on your home turf in front of your home spectators and friends and family watching the game. A home final's what everyone aspires to and that's why we're going to give it 110% tomorrow."