Henriques, Maddinson guide NSW in Perth

Rain has ended play early on the opening day of the crucial Bupa Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and New South Wales at the WACA Ground, with Blues batsman Nic Maddinson falling two runs short of a century.

Persistent rain and then bad light meant that only 7.4 overs were bowled in the final session and that wasn't the news that NSW were after as they seek an outright victory to qualify for the Shield final.

A draw will be enough for WA to qualify for the final but that would likely mean that Victoria hosts, with the Warriors likely to need an outright win to host the decider at the WACA.

At the end of the opening day, NSW are 4-325 with captain Moises Henriques not out on 59 and Peter Nevill yet to score.

While Henriques' 59 has signalled a strong return from a groin injury, Maddinson was the star of the opening day for the Blues with his 98.

Maddinson came to the wicket with NSW 2-55 after Scott Henry fell for seven and Ben Rohrer for 23 as WA's opening bowlers Nathan Coulter-Nile and Nathan Rimmington started well.

Maddinson immediately looked at ease at the crease and by the tea break had moved to a rapid 77.

He got to 98 following the resumption from a second rain delay with 12 boundaries and two sixes, but he tried one too many adventurous shots and was caught at slip by WA captain Adam Voges off Coulter-Nile.

That ended his 137-run partnership with Henriques, who will resume at the crease on Saturday with Nevill.