Warriors peg Bushrangers back

A collapse by Victoria late on the third day of the Pura Cup match at the WACA Ground has allowed the Warriors a sniff of possibly snatching outright points.

Set 184 to win the Bushrangers reached 4-86 at stumps, with Nick Jewell and David Hussey at the crease after they lost Jason Arnberger, Michael Klinger, Brad Hodge and night-watchman Michael Lewis in the pursuit of victory.

Western Australia collapsed again in the first session, losing four wickets for 57. Chris Rogers hit two superb fours off Allan Wise's bowling only to fall caught behind in the next over bowled by Jonathan Moss - his first over of the day.

Mike Hussey fell three overs later to a similar shot off the bowling of Wise. Damien Martyn stay in the middle lasted just eight balls before a mid-wicket mix-up, with Murray Goodwin, saw him run out by Arnberger.

Worse was to come for the Warriors as Goodwin cut to Jewell at short point. Marcus North and Shaun Marsh saw out the 10 overs before lunch, though North did offer one chance in the last over of the session but David Hussey unable to grasp the catch at first slip. At lunch the Warriors were again struggling at 4-193, a lead of only 64 runs.

After lunch North and Marsh moved the score past 200. North, however, fell in the first over with the new ball as he attempted to guide the ball down the leg side to third man area, Crosthwaite took the catch behind the stumps. Marsh opened up and hit six balls to the fence, moving from his lunch total of three to 32.

Campbell handed Lewis his second wicket, and Crosthwaite his fourth catch of the innings, as the Warriors slumped to 6-245 at the middle session drinks break.

Eager to end the stubborn seventh wicket partnership, Bushrangers captain Cameron White recalled Shane Harwood. It wasn't long and the speedster rattled Brett Dorey's stumps for eight. Harwood thought he had his third wicket with an lbw appeal, turned down, closely followed by a mis-timed cover drive by Steve Magoffin that fell short of the fielder.

Magoffin's demise was inevitable as he drove the ball straigh to Arnberger at square leg. The likelyhood of a result today gathered further momentum, just before the scheduled tea break, as Brad Williams top edged to Crosthwaite. Moss had his fourth wicket. At nine down Victoria request for extended play, and delay of the tea interval, was granted.

Matthew Inness and Marsh hit out to push the score past 300, the end came when Inness hit White high and out to a waiting Michael Klinger at deep point. White finished with 1/22, while Moss claimed 4/92. Marsh remained 69 not out.

Victoria's second innings began well until a great catch by Goodwin saw Klinger on his way for 28 in Inness' second over. Hodge survived a confident appeal for lbw in the 21st over, but fell leg before six overs later to Dorey.

Rain has been forecast for tomorrow, but is unlikely to prevent a result. The match is evenly balanced which should make for an exciting end.

Full scorecard available here.

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