NSW face a challenge to avoid the follow-on after Western Australia enjoyed a dream day three to bolster hopes of an unlikely Sheffield Shield win
Match Report:
ScorecardWA seam attack routs Blues top order in Shield clash
Some inspired seam bowling from Western Australia's Matthew Kelly and Joel Paris produced a stunning NSW batting collapse at Bankstown Oval to turn a near-certain draw into a possible win for the visitors.
With both teams vying for a spot in the final, the middle-session on day three of this rain-affected penultimate-round Marsh Sheffield Shield fixture may prove to be pivotal in the course of the season.
NSW ended the day at 7-165, still 191 runs shy of WA's 6(dec)-356.
Kelly (3-22) picked up wickets in three successive overs leaving the home side limping their way to tea at 5-55, as a hitherto benign pitch seemingly turned into a minefield.
Kelly's swing firstly undid Blues' skipper Kurtis Patterson (21) without playing a shot before Jack Edwards (1) and Hayden Kerr (0) were also sent packing.
At the other end Paris (2-30) started the rot by picking up the crucial wicket of opener Daniel Hughes (6) caught at second slip.
Jason Sangha's lone knock kept the innings together with the 22-year-old No.3 digging in to end the day unbeaten on 66.
An unwell Moises Henriques, who came in at No.8, led a brief revival only to tickle a catch down the leg side off the bowling of rookie spinner Corey Rocchiccioli on 23.
Matt Kelly has 3-7 at Bankstown Oval!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 17, 2022
But they're replays Kurtis Patterson and Hayden Kerr won't want to see again after shouldering arms... #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/tLK7OLuIWh
Chris Tremain swiped three sixes late in the day to reach 41 not out and lift the home side closer to the follow-on mark of 207.
The two sides are among five states with two wins apiece vying for a spot in the March 31 season decider.
After the entire day two was lost due to rain, WA resumed at 3-231 and continued on comfortably before closing their innings half an hour after lunch.
Hilton Cartwright looked set for a century but his watchful 209-ball innings ended on 81 when he was caught hooking a Tremain delivery while seeking to up the scoring rate.
Incredibly, Tremain's second wicket came a day and a half after his first with day two lost due to ongoing showers.
Cameron Bancroft had top-scored for WA with 117 before he was dismissed by Tremain (2-42) late on Tuesday.
The hard-hitting D'Arcy Short was the only WA batter who failed to reach double figures when he was caught and bowled by Kerr for one.
Two quick wickets to NSW - including this ripper by Hayden Kerr - has WA 6-356 at Bankstown Oval #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/DJguoWOncJ
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 17, 2022
Aaron Hardie remained unbeaten on 37, while allrounder Edwards was the pick of the Blues' attack returning 3-58 off 21 overs.
Left-arm spinner Riley Ayre, who was subbed into the Blues' side to make his debut after Tanveer Sangha suffered a mild concussion during a fielding mishap on day one, finished with 0-29 from eight overs.