Western Australia are on course for their first Sheffield Shield victory of the season after claiming the key scalps of Phil Hughes and Callum Ferguson in their clash with South Australia at the WACA Ground.

Chasing 355 for victory, the Redbacks were battling at 4-113 at lunch on the final day, with Michael Klinger unbeaten on 43 and Travis Head on seven.

Hughes, who scored 92 in the first innings, again looked in solid form before chopping a Nathan Coulter-Nile delivery onto his stumps for 26.

South Australia’s hopes for victory took another major hit when Ferguson was run out for 14 courtesy of a direct hit from Michael Hogan at fine leg.

Klinger represents the Redbacks’ main hope of surviving, and the former Victorian owes his team a big knock after dropping Warriors opener Marcus Harris in the first innings.

Harris was on just six at the time, but went on to make 114 to put WA in the box seat.