Cricket: Shaun Marsh century not enough as WA face defeat against SA

A SHAUN Marsh century will not be able to help Western Australia avoid a big defeat at the hands of South Australia in their Sheffield Shield clash at the WACA Ground.

The Redbacks were 0-32 at stumps on day three of the day-night clash, requiring a further 37 runs for victory when play resumes this afternoon.

Kelvin Smith is unbeaten on 16 and Jake Weatherald is on 15.

The pair faced eight overs last night, but were not in a hurry to chase down the total of 69 runs for victory, with a whole day left to play.

The Warriors were dismissed for 302 runs late in the final session, with Chadd Sayers doing the damage taking 4-57 and wicketkeeper Alex Carey grabbing five catches.

Marsh held up the WA innings, showing no sign of a hamstring injury which has plagued him as he batted beautifully for his 110 runs from 165 balls.

His strong push looked like forcing the match late in to the fourth and final day, but he feathered the first ball of the final session – his first faced under the WACA lights – to Carey off the bowling of Sayers, sparking a WA collapse (6-86).

But while all eyes were on Marsh as he pushed for selection in the Australian team that will host South Africa in the First Test in Perth next week, it was Sayers that was determining the outcome of the game.

In the space of three overs after tea, he took 3-0, removing Michael Klinger (30) and then, with consecutive balls, Australian squad members Adam Voges and Mitch Marsh for ducks.

Marsh and Klinger had shared a 72-run partnership in the build up to tea, to have the Warriors 1-97.

But just five overs after the break, the Warriors had slumped to 4-107.

Earlier, resuming at 8-474, the Redbacks added 1-31 in quick time to start day three but were thwarted by Ashton Agar (3-71).