Bracken rips through top order

Western Australia 474 for 6 dec and 223 for 5 (Bracken 5-34) lead New South Wales 367 for 7 dec (Katich 71*) by 330 runs
Scorecard

Nathan Bracken lifted New South Wales's prospects of an unlikely win, by skittling through Western Australia's top-order on the third day at Perth. In the final session of the day, Bracken produced a lethal display of swing bowling picking all five wickets to fall. By stumps, WA were 223 for 5 and led by 330 runs - a lead that is not yet out of sight in a high-scoring match.

New South Wales desperately need a victory to put their Pura Cup defence back on track, and when Steve Waugh declared the first innings 107 runs in arrears, he was relying on a fighting performance from his bowlers.

That didn't happen immediately, as Justin Langer and Michael Hussey cracked along to 157 in double-quick time. But Hussey played the ball onto his stumps for 71, and Bracken had made his incision. Bracken removed the first-innings centurion Chris Rogers for 2, also playing on, before following up with the big wicket of Langer for 94. Murray Goodwin was caught behind for 25, before Marcus North was trapped lbw just before stumps.

NSW had resumed on 204 for 2, and in pursuit of quick runs. Simon Katich and Dominic Thornely put on 101 for the third wicket, before Steve Waugh thumped a 53-ball half-century.