Henriques shines before rare obstructing the field appeal

NSW captain Moises Henriques played a hard-fought knock of 95 to put the Blues within reach of a first-innings lead against reigning champions Western Australia.

But the Blues could have been further behind, however, if an appeal for obstructing the field against Chris Green (17no.) in the seventh last over of the day was given out.  

Green struck the ball with his bat from a Charlie Stobo throw while out of his crease as WA fielders rose for an appeal.

After a lengthy deliberation from the umpires, a not out decision was made.

Henriques was dismissed for 95 late on day two on at the WACA to fall just short of his 14th first-class century.

But the 37-year-old has put NSW in a position to cause a boilover, which would continue their Blues' resurgence in the Shield.

NSW went to stumps at 7-244, trailing WA by just 12 after bowling the hosts out for 256 on Saturday.

Spinner Chris Green (17) and veteran pacer Jackson Bird (11) will resume on Monday trying to put the Blues into the lead.

NSW started their innings on Sunday but fell into early trouble at 3-30 as quick Joel Paris and spinner Corey Rocchiccioli ran through the Blues' top-order.

But Henriques was able to dig in, forming important partnerships with Ollie Davies (21) and in-form allrounder Jack Edwards (34).

Paris was the pick of WA's bowlers with 3-45 from 22 overs, while Rocchiccioli sent down 32 overs in a day for 3-96.

WA, who have won the last two Shield finals, sit second after winning three games before the break for the BBL.

NSW are trying to claim an unlikely double against WA this season.

In November, the Blues snapped their longest winless Shield run when they upset WA at the SCG to secure their first victory in 21 months.

NSW added another victory to their tally after that, downing ladder-leaders Tasmania to regain confidence.

Sheffield Shield 2023-24 standings

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Drawn D	No results N/R	Deductions Ded.	Batting Bonus Bat	Bowling Bonus Bowl	Total points PTS
1 Western Australia Men WA	10	5	2	3	0	0	5.53	9.4	47.93
2 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	10	5	2	3	0	0	6.06	8.3	47.36
3 NSW Men NSW	10	4	3	3	0	0	6.31	9	42.31
4 Victoria Men VIC	10	4	4	2	0	0	4.74	8.2	38.94
5 South Australia Men SA	10	3	6	1	0	0	5.19	9.3	33.49
6 Queensland Bulls QLD	10	2	6	2	0	0	3.54	8.3	25.84

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

D: Drawn

N/R: No results

Ded.: Deductions

Bat: Batting Bonus

Bowl: Bowling Bonus

PTS: Total points