Evenly poised Shield clash in Perth

Western Australia and NSW are evenly poised at stumps on day two of their JLT Sheffield Shield clash in Perth, with wickets continuing to fall in clumps at the WACA Ground.

At close of play on Friday, NSW were 3-77 in their second innings with a lead of 66.

Kurtis Patterson (12) and Ed Cowan (11) are not out while Nick Larkin (19), Daniel Hughes (25) and Moises Henriques (0) were the wickets to fall.

All three departed in the one over from Simon Mackin after a solid 45-run opening stand between Larkin and Hughes.

WA opened the second day at 2-17 in reply to NSW's 204. They too looked comfortable when Cameron Bancroft and Hilton Cartwright were at the crease before Bancroft fell for 38 before lunch.

Then Shaun Marsh was out for 11 just after lunch and just like that, it sparked a dramatic WA collapse. They lost 5-27 at one stage and looked likely to fall short of the Blues modest total.

However some big-hitting from tailender Alex Bevilaqua (36) including three sixes helped WA reach 215 and claim at least a narrow lead.

Hilton Cartwright was the star with the bat making 78 before being out caught behind by Peter Nevill off Mickey Edwards the very next ball after hooking for six.

It was a solid bowling performance by the Blues led by Trent Copeland (3-42), Charlie Stobo (3-32) and Nathan Lyon (3-59).

NSW's second innings started well thanks to Hughes and Larkin despite the Dukes ball continuing to swing.

But then Mackin struck with three wickets in an over to leave the game evenly poised at the halfway point.

He first had Larkin caught behind for 19 and then Hughes well caught in the deep for 25.

He thought he had Henriques out first ball but did when leg before the very next delivery.

Western Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Cameron Bancroft, Will Bosisto, Shaun Marsh, Hilton Cartwright, Ashton Turner, Josh Inglis, Jhye Richardson, Matthew Kelly, Alex Bevilaqua, Simon Mackin, Jon Wells (12th man)

New South Wales: Peter Nevill (c), Nick Larkin, Daniel Hughes, Kurtis Patterson, Moises Henriques, Ed Cowan, Trent Copeland, Gurinder Sandhu, Charlie Stobo, Nathan Lyon, Mickey Edwards, Nic Maddinson (12th man)