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Bowlers keep WA heads above water

Shuan Marsh in action at Manuka Oval. Picture: Getty Images

Jason Behrendorff and Ryan Duffield have given Western Australia a sniff of a remarkable Sheffield Shield victory by claiming both openers for ducks in NSW’s second innings.

Ryan Carters matched WA’s Cam Bancroft by falling for a golden duck to start his team’s innings when he was trapped lbw by Behrendorff.

Then Duffield snared Nic Maddinson with a nick to slip to give the Blues an awkward start to their innings.

But NSW lead by an imposing 313 runs after Steve Smith (21 not out) and Ben Rohrer (24 not out) took the total to 2-46.

WA’s innings ended at 180 – 267 behind the home team – with Josh Hazlewood completing a career-best return of 6-50.

Mitch Marsh remained unbeaten on 92 as Hazlewood maintained his impact with new and old balls.

The big seamer had both Sam Whiteman and Ashton Agar caught behind to better his previous best of 4-14 against WA at the same ground last week.

Marsh was not to be denied and accelerated towards 100 as the middle order fell regularly at the other end.

He smashed Nathan Lyon out of Manuka Oval and later hit Trent Copeland back over his head for a massive six.

But his quest for a second career century proved fruitless when Behrendorff edged spinner Steve O’Keefe and Michael Hogan was bowled by Copeland for a duck.

Marsh and his brother Shaun were the only batsmen to better Whiteman’s 12 as WA’s vulnerable batting line-up was exposed on the placid surface.