Tame draw for Warriors and Redbacks

Western Australia has batted out the fourth and final day of the Pura Cup match against South Australia at the WACA Ground in Perth.

The Warriors resumed on 3-85, the Redbacks though claimed two early wickets that put the home team on the back foot. Shaun Tait bagged his second wicket for the match when he trapped night watchman Beau Casson lbw.

Daniel Cullen, dubbed as a future Test representative, bowled Adam Voges for nine to leave the Western Australians on the edge of their seat and hoping the pattern this summer at home was not about to continue.

So far this summer the Warriors have managed to lose all four previous home matches outright after being in a position to win atleast two of these.

However a form reversal in the last month has seen them go within a game of qualifying for the Pura Cup Final, something that certainly appeared out of reach after losing to Queensland in January.

The battle for survival began with Marcus North and David Bandy in no hurry to set the Southern Redbacks a target to chase late in the day. Both batsmen, in the first session, offered catches that were not snaffled.

North and Bandy took the home side to lunch at 5-147. After the break the pair frustrated the Redbacks with each passing 50 and sharing a match saving 127-run sixth wicket partnership up to tea.

For Bandy it was his maiden half-century in first class cricket, while North moved closer to the historic mark of a century in each innings of a Pura Cup match.

Jason Gillespie and Paul Rofe shared the new ball, which was taken 30 minutes before tea. No joy for the Redbacks pace duo as Bandy and North resisted any temptation provided to hit out. The home side went to the tea interval at 5-228.

The tempo lifted slightly at the start of the final session, as North belted three consecutive fours' off Cullen's bowling.

Eager to have his name added to the Warriors honour roll, North smashed Cullen for six, and followed with a four to move into the nineties.

Culllen was again on the receiving end, in his next over, as North's straight drive raced to the boundary rope. North raced from 66, at the tea break, to his century milestone in only 19 balls.

The sixth wicket stand was ended on 211 when Darren Lehmann enticed a rash stroke by Bandy, who only chipped to Mark Cosgrove fielding at back pad.

Luke Ronchi and Marcus North used the final hour for batting practise against the part-timers of Graham Manou, Cameron Borgas and Daniel Harris.

Stumps were drawn 30 minutes before the scheduled close after Western Australia declared their second innings.

While Marcus North was officially named as the man of the match, Steve Magoffin has earned the nod from SportsAustralia for his career best bowling on Sunday's third day.

Next weekend, the final round of Pura Cup matches will be played.

All three matches are crucial and will determine who finishes second, and take on Queensland in the Final at Brisbane.

Full scorecard available here.

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