WA bat out draw after Blues just avoid the follow-on

The Marsh Sheffield Shield match between NSW and Western Australia at Bankstown Oval has meandered to a draw after the visitors elected not to set-up a final-day run chase.

After the Blues narrowly avoided the follow-on, WA seemed happy with batting practice and, having inched their way to 4-75 from 40 overs, play was called to an early end at tea on day four.

By then WA had extended their lead to 223, having bowled out NSW midway through the morning session for 208 for a first innings lead of 148, two runs shy of the follow-on mark.

Jason Sangha and Chris Tremain combined to save the Blues from a perilous 7-98.

The pair put on a match-saving 104 for the eighth wicket with Tremain's 58 just his second time past fifty in first-class cricket.

No.4 Sangha was the mainstay of the innings with 86 from 219 deliveries.

Day two was lost to persistent showers before WA's seam attack brought the match back to life during the middle session on day three by tearing through the Blues' top order.

Tremain took 2-18 in WA's second innings, while debutant Riley Ayre (1-9) claimed his maiden first-class wicket after being subbed into the match when leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha suffered a mild concussion while fielding on day one.

The draw leaves WA inside the top two on the Sheffield Shield table and they play Victoria at the WACA next week with victory ensuring qualify for the final later this month.

NSW, meanwhile, sit mid-table and will need to beat South Australia and secure a large amount of first innings bonus points to be any chance of making the final while hoping other results fall their way.