25 January 2004	Sunday	02 Zilhaj 1424

PERTH, Jan 24: New South Wales batsman Simon Katich ensured the Sheffield Shield cricket match against his former state was finely poised after the second day with a stylish 71 not out at the WACA Ground here on Saturday.

At stumps, New South Wales were 204 for two in reply to Western Australia's 474 for six (dec), with Katich occupying the crease with Dominic Thornely on 28 not out.

Katich plundered three fours off an over from part-time bowler Marcus North late in the day to reach his half century on his old home ground.

New South Wales opener Greg Mail was given a life on 17 after being caught at backward point off a Ben Edmondson no ball.

He and Phil Jaques put on 98 for the opening stand before Mail's luck ran out when he was ruled out lbw on 37.

Earlier, a pair of 87's from Ryan Campbell and North guided Western Australia past 450.

In Hobart, rain brought an abrupt end to Tasmania's seemingly impossible chase for victory in the match against Queensland at the Bellerive Oval.

Tasmania were eight for one in their second innings after being set 321 from 35 overs when heavy rain brought play to a premature end.

Queensland had earlier added to their first innings total of 400 for eight declared with some free-flowing batting to finish their second innings on 322.

Newcomer Craig Philipson posted 101 not out on his first-class debut off 232 balls with 13 fours while James Hopes racked up 111 before being caught at point by Scott Mason off Gerard Denton.

Tasmania had won the two first innings points for the match after declaring their first-innings closed at 402 for four, with middle-order batsman Michael Dighton making 127 not out.

Tasmania are now second on the Shield table with 22 points with Queensland third on 16 points.

Summarised scores:

In Perth (day two):

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 474-6 declared (C. Rogers 142, M.J. North 87; S. Clark 3-104, D. Thornley 1-56);

NEW SOUTH WALES 204-2 (S.M. Katich 71 not out, P. Jaques 45).

In Hobart (day four), match drawn:

QUEENSLAND 400-8 declared and 322 (J.A. Hopes 111, C. Philipson 101 not out; A. Downton 4-59, D. Wright 3-63);

TASMANIA 402-4 declared (M. Dighton 127 not out, M.J. Di Venuto 91; M.S. Kasprowicz 2-56, J. Dawes 2-72) and 8-1.-AFP