New South Welshman Phil Jaques enhanced his chances of snaring the vacant Test opener’s berth as his side seized total control of the Pura Cup clash with Western Australia at the WACA Ground.

With his main rival for a spot at the top of the Australian order, WA’s Chris Rogers, falling cheaply earlier in the day, Jaques grabbed the chance to make up for his own first innings failure with a stylish half-century in front of national selector Merv Hughes.

At stumps on the second day, the Blues were in a commanding position at 1-145, with the first innings points in their pocket and an overall lead of 313 after a remarkable day of cricket.

Jaques was on 71, with Peter Forrest on 17.

The first Test against Sri Lanka, starting November 8 at the Gabba, is looming and Jaques is edging ahead in his duel with fellow left-hander Rogers.

In Friday’s one-day game, Jaques made 83, while Rogers fell for just 18.

Although Jaques fell for only 13 on the opening day of the Pura Cup clash, Rogers was unable to capitalise and was dismissed for nine as WA’s top order collapsed to unheralded seamer Mark Cameron.

After former Test opener Justin Langer played a loose shot and was caught by Jaques from the bowling of Cameron for seven, Rogers attempted to pull the same bowler and got a thick top edge.

The ball flew high, but straight up in the air, and wicketkeeper Daniel Smith completed a simple catch.

While much of the attention was on the two openers, the Blues turned the match on its head yesterday, with Cameron claiming 5-33 in just his fourth Pura Cup game in six seasons.

At one stage they were 6-53 in their own innings before No.9 Matthew Nicholson rode his luck to notch his maiden Pura Cup hundred and lift his team’s score to 267,

The Blues then routed the home side for just 99 to claim a 168-run lead.

Steve Magoffin, batting at No.10, was WA’s top-scorer with 27 not out in a dismal display by the Warriors batsmen.

Cameron claimed the first four wickets to fall as WA’s top order collapsed to be 6-38 at lunch. Blues captain Simon Katich elected not to enforce the follow-on, and Jaques and Ed Cowan (56) set about extending the lead with a 94-run opening stand.

To cap a dismal day for the Warriors, paceman Ben Edmondson limped from the field late in the day with a suspected hamstring injury.

Earlier, NSW resumed at 9-238 and Bollinger hung around long enough for Nicholson to post his first Pura Cup century, having been dropped on 49, 91 and 99.

Nicholson finished on 106 not out, having been at the crease for 252 minutes, facing 209 balls and hitting 14 fours.

It was his third first-class century, but first for NSW.

Ironically, NSW’s three top scorers – Nicholson, captain Simon Katich (50) and spinner Beau Casson (51) – all played for WA earlier in their careers.

Nicholson capped a good day by claiming two wickets in the WA innings.

© 2007 AAP

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