A dramatic collapse triggered by NSW skipper Stephen O’Keefe just before tea pushed Western Australia to the cusp of an outright defeat late on day three of the Sheffield Shield clash at Blacktown.
The Warriors lost 5-15 in a 12-over span on Saturday to go from 1-87 to 6-102 as their hopes of victory appeared to evaporate during one unplayable spell from O’Keefe.
But lower-order slugger Nathan Coulter-Nile blasted a quickfire 42 off 39, Hilton Armstrong added 29 and tailender Ashton Agar (29no) gave the Sheffield Shield strugglers hope as they reached 8-211 by stumps – a lead of 109 runs.
Play looked like wrapping up a day early when O’Keefe (4-47) ripped through the Warriors middle order, with Marcus North (6), John Rogers (0) and Sam Whiteman (0) all caught at bat pad by David Dawson.
After claiming 4-55 in the first innings, O’Keefe’s second haul for the match further strengthens his case for a spot in Australia’s squad for the four-Test tour of India, which is expected to be announced on Thursday.
It gives the 28-year-old a return of 17 wickets for the Shield season.
Trent Copeland claimed the prized scalp of Michael Hussey (8), who was given out lbw without offering a shot, as well as Hilton Armstrong (29) to finish with figures of 2-42.
Earlier, Copeland provided some fireworks as the Blues added 81 runs to their overnight score to post a first innings total of 344 and build a 102-run lead.
Copeland smacked six boundaries, including three majestic cover drives, before he was caught on the boundary off Michael Hogan (2-59).
The Blues bowling attack was without allrounder Moises Henriques, who had surgery on his right index finger which will rule him out of all cricket for at least a week.