WA on top of NSW in Shield clash at WACA
Western Australia are heading towards a handy first innings lead at lunch on day two of the Sheffield Shield match against NSW at the WACA Ground.
WA progressed solidly through the opening session of the second day, only losing Test opener Cameron Bancroft for 38.
But another former Test batsman, Hilton Cartwright, is looking good 56 not out, with Ashes star Shaun Marsh with him on 11.
That sees the Warriors just 86 runs behind NSW's first innings score of 204 at 3-118 after NSW captain Peter Nevill won the toss and decided to bat first.
NSW started well on the opening day to be 1-89 before Mitch Marsh and the swinging Dukes ball got on a roll.
The Test allrounder claimed 4-50 as the Blues lost their last nine wickets for 115 runs to be all out for 204.
WA did lose Will Bosisto (0) and nightwatchman Matt Kelly (1) late on the first day to be 2-17 by stumps. Trent Copeland was the successful NSW bowler on both occasions.
While the Dukes ball was still swinging throughout the opening session, Bancroft and Cartwright were coping well.
That was until Bancroft miscued a pull shot off second-gamer Charlie Stobo with Ed Cowan taking a good catch at square leg.
Bancroft was out for 38 with the score 3-98 before Cartwright continued on bringing up his half-century joined at the wicket by Shaun Marsh, who is coming off an Ashes where he scored 445 runs and averaged 74.
