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Bancroft powers Warriors in Townsville

The Western Australia opener is 12 short of century in their Sheffild Shield clash against Queensland

Test aspirant Cameron Bancroft has a century in his sights after passing 50 for the first time this season in Western Australia's Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland in Townsville.

At stumps on day two at Tony Ireland Stadium, the Warriors are 3-186 in reply to the Bulls' 422 first dig with Bancroft unbeaten on 88.

But WA's axed Test allrounder Mitch Marsh failed again with the bat, caught behind for a freewheeling 14.

And Warriors quick Jason Behrendorff looks set to miss the rest of the match after suffering a leg stress fracture.

Warriors opener Bancroft, who played for the state's Toyota Futures League side last week in a bid to regain form, played a patient hand on Sunday, hitting just six fours in his 198 ball knock.

Bancroft returns to form for Western Australia

But the 24-year-old showed why the likes of former Australia captain Steve Waugh have backed him for a Test debut.

His knock on Sunday more than doubled his Shield tally for the season, having made just 78 runs in his six previous knocks.

The closest Bancroft has got to a Baggy Green was being selected for Australia's abandoned 2015 tour of Bangladesh, while he made his international debut as a wicketkeeper in a Twenty20 International against India in January.

Bancroft shared an 85-run opening stand with Jono Wells (46).

He also put together an unbeaten 71 runs for the fourth wicket with recent Australian one-day international squad bolter Hilton Cartwright (26 not out).

Queensland leg-spinner Mitch Swepson took 2-58, as gloveman Sam Whiteman completed a smart stumping off him to remove Wells before he got the prized scalp of WA skipper Michael Klinger for nine.

Earlier, allrounders Jack Wildermuth (93) and Michael Neser (68) helped Queensland reach a daunting first innings total.

Wildermuth falls narrowly short of century

The Bulls resumed day two at 6-327.

Dumped Test opener Joe Burns (68) and Matador BBQs One-Day Cup player of the series Marnus Labuschagne (79) both notched half-centuries for the hosts on day one.

Simon Mackin took 3-100 for WA while Marsh finished with 2-74.

Neser chips in with quickfire 68 in Townsville

The Warriors were a bowler down after strike left-armer Behrendorff was sidelined on Sunday.

"Scans have shown Jason Behrendorff has a stress fracture in his left fibula & at this stage won't play any further part in game," WACA tweeted on Sunday.

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