Warriors snatch first innings points

Western Australia has taken first innings points on the third day of the Pura Cup match against South Australia at the WACA Ground in Perth.

The Redbacks resumed on 2-214, with first innings points on offer for either team.

Steve Magoffin pressed for a Test spot in South Africa, later this month, as he destroyed the middle-order with career best figures of 8-47.

When asked, late in the day, if he had taken eight wickets in an innings before today, Magoffin said, "Not even in the backyard, mate."

Darren Lehmann (82) was the first to fall when he cut the ball through to keeper Luke Ronchi. Two overs later Mark Cosgrove (4) was dismissed with a slash shot to Ben Edmondson at gully.

Magoffin then claimed his third wicket of the morning session, in only 12 balls, when Jason Gillespie (7), who batted as a night watchman, drove the ball straight to Adam Voges at point.

Callum Ferguson and Cameron Borgas steadied the innings and took the Redbacks from 5-236 to their lunch break score of 293 without further loss.

After lunch, the new ball was taken and Magoffin made an immediate breakthrough with his first ball, Borgas (22) guided the ball to Chris Rogers fielding at first slip.

Shortly after Ferguson registered his fourth 50 this summer, he survived a confident appeal by Dorey and the Warriors fieldsmen for lbw. However, Magoffin struck again in the over that followed when Ferguson (54) slashed to, gully fielder, David Bandy.

Defying logic of declaring behind, the Redbacks proceeded in a bid to snare first innings points, something that at the start of play appeared a near certainty. Magoffin enhanced his chances of Test selection even further with his sixth wicket of the day, and seventh for the innings, when he had Shaun Tait caught behind for 27.

Graham Manou followed, which denied Magoffin being able to finish with nine-for. Manou and Tait smashed 10 boundaries between them and shared a 48-run partnership.

The quest for first innings points was halted with Manou's edge, off Edmondson's bowling, taken by Ronchi.

Magoffin returned after tea to claim his eighth wicket as South Australia fell an agonising four runs short of snatching first innings points, bowled out for 405.

Best of the other Warriors bowlers were North with 1/33, while Edmondson finished 1/90. 

With 25 overs to face before stumps, the Warriors were keen for a good start. Rogers faced the opening seven balls before Gillespie trapped him lbw for one.

A 79-run partnership between Justin Langer and Shaun Marsh saw the Warriors reach 80. Paul Rofe claimed Marsh's wicket in the shadows of stumps, while Lehmann snared Langer.

Stumps were drawn with the Warriors leading overall by 88 runs.

Play resumes tomorrow at 10:30am local time.

Full scorecard available here.

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