A batting collapse has left Western Australia facing outright defeat against NSW on Saturday’s third day of the Sheffield Shield match in Sydney.

The Warriors were 6-102 at tea, yet to take a lead in the match after trailing the Blues by 102 runs on the first innings.

WA crumbled against the spin of Steven O’Keefe, who took four wickets amid a dramatic batting slump.

The Warriors appeared comfortable at 1-87 but then lost 5-15 in a 12 over span.

O’Keefe was instrumental in the collapse, dismissing opener Liam Davis (32), Marcus North (six) and then John Rogers and Sam Whiteman, who both failed to score.

Blues paceman Trent Copeland also chipped in with the prized scalp of Mike Hussey, lbw for eight.

O’Keefe had the fine figures of 4-30 from 15.4 overs at the tea break, after also taking four wickets in WA’s first innings.