Warriors win thriller by 36 runs at WACA

PERTH - Western Australia's bowlers justified captain Tom Moody's daring declaration by routing South Australia for 342 to snatch a 36-run victory in their Pura Cup clash at the WACA today.

The Warriors four-pronged pace attack of Jo Angel (2-91), Brad Williams (2-56), Matthew Nicholson (3-80) and Brendon Julian (2-57) answered their skipper's challenge to keep WA's thin Pura Cup finals hopes alive.

Moody's sporting declaration at 6-160, which set the visitors a 379 run chase, paid dividends as had his decision not to enforce the follow-on, when his side had bowled SA out for 256 in their first innings yesterday, still 69 runs short.

The Redbacks were forced to play catch-up cricket for the best part of three days after Simon Katich (228no) gave the home side an insurmountable first innings lead of 7(dec)-474.

But they looked poised to snatch an improbable victory, when they advanced to 147 for the loss of one wicket in their second innings.

Earlier, they resumed this morning at 1-61, facing a final day run chase of 318 after a blazing start through debutant, Luke Williams, who reached the fence four times to reach 16 before he was caught behind off Williams to make the score 1-19.

First innings century scorer Greg Blewett (138) moved past 1,000 runs for the Pura Cup season and in the process put his side within 230 runs of victory before he was caught and bowled by paceman Matthew Nicholson for 77 to take the score to 2-148.

That brought captain Darren Lehmann to the crease to join Shane Deitz and the pair put on 34.

When Deitz was bowled by veteran paceman Jo Angel for 66 and debutant Cameron Borgas edged Brendon Julian to wicketkeeper Mark Walsh for 12, the Redbacks' hopes rested on the shoulders of their captain.

But when Lehmann's innings ended on 51, caught by Brad Williams at mid-off off Marcus North, the Redbacks hopes were all but dashed.

A brave 59 by first gamer Ben Higgins, gave hope for the future, but was not enough to keep the Redbacks in Pura Cup finals contention.

When Higgins was bowled by Julian, the Wariors attack was left with the fragile resistance of Paul Rofe (17no) and Mark Harrity, who fell 40 minutes before stumps was scheduled.