Warriors boss Bulls to eye final berth

An unbeaten captain's knock of 73 from Mitch Marsh has guided Western Australia into a strong position in the must-win JLT Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at the WACA Ground.

Needing a win to have any chance of meeting host Victoria in the final, the visitors appear best-placed at the midway point on Thursday thanks to Marsh leading a much-improved batting effort.

After folding for 138 in their first innings, WA reached stumps on 4-224, and overall lead of 187 after Queensland were dismissed for 175.

The Warriors will have been heartened by the poor weather in Hobart that forced an early end in Hobart to the Tasmania-NSW clash where the Blues need a result to keep the Warriors at bay for the right to meet Victoria next week.

Former Test opener Cameron Bancroft (52) and Hilton Cartwright (41) also made solid contributions while Josh Philippe will be looking to add significantly to his 12no when play resumes alongside Marsh on Friday.

Queensland started day two at 5-95 and bowlers continued to dominate, although Sam Heazlett (68) and Michael Neser added a valuable 42 to his haul of 5-15.

Debutant Aaron Hardie had a promising introduction, the young quick taking 4-29, including the key scalps of Neser and Heazlett.

"I'm absolutely stoked with that and to get the first wicket was the relief," he said.

"Then it was awesome after that and I'm really happy with the way I bowled. It was great fun to be out there with the boys.

"I've been watching them play for a number of years now and to be out there with them is an awesome experience."

Western Australia XI: Cameron Bancroft, Sam Whiteman, Josh Inglis, Mitch Marsh, Hilton Cartwright, Josh Philippe, D'Arcy Short, Aaron Hardie, Joel Paris, Matt Kelly, Liam Guthrie

Queensland XI: Matt Renshaw, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Charlie Hemphrey, Sam Heazlett, Jimmy Peirson, Michael Neser, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Luke Feldman, Billy Stanlake