North and Rogers lead Warriors' fight

Western Australia 6 for 298 (Rogers 82, North 70*, Goodwin 59) trail Queensland 354 (Seccombe 69, Symonds 62, Watson 60, Dorey 3-28, Hussey 3-49) by 56 runs
Scorecard

An unbeaten 70 from Marcus North kept Western Australia in the hunt for the outright win they need to make it to the Pura Cup final. At close of play on the second day at Brisbane, the Warriors were 6 for 298, still 56 away from Queensland's first-innings total of 354.

Several of Western Australia's batsmen got starts, but none could go on to a century. Chris Rogers made 82, and put together 117 for the second wicket with Murray Goodwin (59), but Queensland made regular inroads thereafter to keep the Warriors in check. North, though, kept the fight going with a patient innings which had so far consumed 158 balls and included seven fours.

North was also helped by some poor catching by Queensland. He was dropped twice in one over from Shane Watson - first Wade Seccombe, the wicketkeeper, spilled a sharp legside chance, and four balls later Craig Philipson dropped a straightforward catch at square leg. It was a big blow for Watson too, who was returning to the bowling crease after a month due to a side strain.

"My sides feel really good and I'm just working on a few technical things so I'm pretty happy with how I went," Watson said after the close of play. "I'm not going to charge in every over and try to bowl a rocket the first ball because I want to make sure it's nice and warm but I haven't felt it at all and the more I bowl the more confident I'm going to be." Watson did take one wicket, though, that of Ryan Campbell, and finished the day with 1 for 47 from 17 overs.

Earlier Seccombe powered to 69 to help his side add 52 runs for the last two wickets in the morning. Each side can seal a home final with outright victory.