Redbacks’ late wobble
Two late strikes put West Australia in a strong position at stumps on day two of their Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia at the WACA Ground.
After edging past the Redbacks’ total of 222 to bag first-innings points and a narrow eight-run lead, the Warriors then reduced the visitors to 3-68 including the prize scalp of Phil Hughes.
At lunch on Friday, Travis Head had helped steady the ship with 92 to have the Redbacks at 4 for 173.
The second innings wobbled early; in the sixth-last over of the first day, Hughes (23) attempted a slog sweep over mid-wicket from the bowling of left-arm spinner Ashton Agar (1-4) but skied a catch to Mitchell Johnson running in from deep mid-on.
And in the next over, Tom Cooper was bowled by Michael Hogan (1-9) for a duck to put SA in a spot of bother heading into day three.
Johnson, who took 2-74 in the first innings, had trapped Sam Raphael lbw with the first ball of the second innings before Hughes and Travis Head took on the WA bowlers.
At stumps, Head was not out 38 and debutant Kelvin Smith unbeaten on six with the Redbacks 60 runs ahead.
Smith remains 48 not out.
Botha is hopeful his batsmen can consolidate and give his side a solid fourth-innings total to defend.
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“It was nice to especially open up their middle-order and get a few wickets there through the middle,” Botha said.
“With the left-arm bowlers in this match they are obviously creating a little bit of rough outside the off-stump for me and that helps me in the game.
“I have to help our quick bowlers out especially on hot days so it’s good there is wear and tear already on the wicket, but it’s still going to need our batting tomorrow to set it up for us so we can keep guys around the bat for longer periods when we are bowling.”
Chadd Sayers also bowled well taking 3-64 while Trent Lawford picked up 2-36.
