Nic Maddinson has saved New South Wales, earning a draw after the skipper bravely batted with a broken thumb to keep the Blues at the crease and ensure a draw.
The hosts faced a bowling onslaught from Joel Paris in the third innings after the paceman ripped through to earn impressive bowling figures of 4/37.
It came after the Blues posted 402 in the first innings following some brilliant batting from the likes of Daniel Hughes, Ed Cowan, Maddinson and Kurtis Patterson.
Their figure was soon dwarfed by the Warriors’ massive total of 491, lifted by test incumbent Adam Voges’ huge 149 runs from 307 balls and assisted by Sam Whiteman’s 93.
The fixture, which ended in a draw, was the first Sheffield Shield match in New Zealand.
The two sides may not have come to a result at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, however they will meet again next week in Perth when the Warriors host the Blues in a bid to jump into the top three.
New South Wales – 402 (Kurtis Patterson 75, David Moody 3/91), 5/155 (Peter Nevill 69, Joel Paris 4/37)
Western Warriors – 491 (Adam Voges 149, Trent Copeland 3/110)
The New South Wales Blues and Western Warriors will get the second half of the Sheffield Shield season underway when they meet in Lincoln, New Zealand. Join The Roar for live scores from 8:30am (AEDT).
The Sheffield Shield will take place in New Zealand for the first time in its 124-year history when these sides meet in Lincoln, just outside of Christchurch, serving as a warm-up match for players involved in the upcoming Australian tour of New Zealand.
NSW will be bolstered by the inclusion of Test incumbents Nathan Lyon and Peter Nevill, ahead of their international duties, with opening batsman Nic Maddinson to skipper the side for only the second time in his career.
In another huge addition for the Blues, Will Somerville is set to make an appearance, with the off-spinner no stranger to New Zealand conditions having previously played Plunket Shield for Otago.
He serves as a replacement to Stephen O’Keefe, who is recovering for a calf injury sustained during the final Test against the West Indies in Sydney, while Gurinder Sandhu has not travelled to Christchurch with the team.
Western Australia have also received a massive leg-up, with Adam Voges to captain the side, joining the squad alongside Hilton Cartwright and Nathan Rimmington in replacement of Marcus Harris, Andrew Tye and Simon Macklin who has been omitted with a pelvis injury.
The match will be a huge occasion for former Sydney grade cricketer Michael Hogan, who is just one away from a milestone 200th Sheffield Shield wicket.
The NSW Blues currently sit in third position on the Sheffield Shield ladder, behind Victoria and South Australia, while the Western Warriors are two points behind their opponents in fourth.
Showers are expected on Friday and Saturday, which could halt play over the last two days, however the match serves as a perfect warmup for Test players Lyon, Nevill and Voges, who will remain in New Zealand for their upcoming two-Test tour.
Prediction
Western Australia will win in a tight battle.
Join The Roar for live scores from 8:30am (AEDT), and comment below if you’re watching the match.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FINAL Nic Maddinson has saved New South Wales, earning a draw after the skipper bravely batted with a broken thumb to keep the Blues at the crease and ensure a draw. The hosts faced a bowling onslaught from Joel Paris in the third innings after the paceman ripped through to earn impressive bowling figures of 4/37. It came after the Blues posted 402 in the first innings following some brilliant batting from the likes of Daniel Hughes, Ed Cowan, Maddinson and Kurtis Patterson. Their figure was soon dwarfed by the Warriors' massive total of 491, lifted by test incumbent Adam Voges' huge 149 runs from 307 balls and assisted by Sam Whiteman's 93. The fixture, which ended in a draw, was the first Sheffield Shield match in New Zealand. The two sides may not have come to a result at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, however they will meet again next week in Perth when the Warriors host the Blues in a bid to jump into the top three. New South Wales – 402 (Kurtis Patterson 75, David Moody 3/91), 5/155 (Peter Nevill 69, Joel Paris 4/37) Western Warriors – 491 (Adam Voges 149, Trent Copeland 3/110)
Don Freo
Guest
With Cowan possibly concussed, regulations won't allow him to bat. Maddinson has a broken thumb but will bat later. In some ways, NSW is 3 for minus 70.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
STUMPS, DAY 3 Western Australia have put on an impressive total posting 491 runs on day three to put themselves in a good position to get the second half of the Sheffield Shield off to a great start. Adam Voges had a brilliant day at the crease tallying a massive 149 runs hitting 15 boundaries before he was run out. He wasn't the only one with the bat to impress with Sam Whiteman totalling 93 runs stopped only by Trent Copeland who had an equally impressive innings with the ball posting figures of 3/110. The Blues began their second innings late in the day managing 11 runs off eight overs before Ed Cowan retired hurt after being hit by a Joel Paris bouncer. The match is on track for a day however, the Warriors are no doubt set to begin day four with a bowling onslaught in a bid to climb the ladder. New South Wales - 402 (Kurtis Patterson 75, David Moody 3/91), 1/11 (Kurtis Patterson 5*, Joel Paris 1/9) Western Warriors - 491 (Adam Voges 149, Trent Copeland 3/110)
JohnB
Guest
As someone who eats airline food twice a week I'd have to say that isn't necessarily so, but depending on whether they can get a direct flight and if not, what their connections are, the extra distance from the West as compared to distances and ease of connection from the east coast does make a difference and it's a reasonable point you make.
Don Freo
Guest
Very impressive from Paris...not just the ball that hit Cowan... His wicket and the ball, a few balls later that almost bowled Patterson in the same way, were just pearlers.
jamesb
Guest
Bad light has stopped play NSW 402 & 1/11 WA 491 Cowan retired hurt.
jamesb
Guest
No one plays Maxi's shots.
Don Freo
Guest
Whiteman played every shot in the book (apart from the shots in Maxi's book).
jamesb
Guest
I have mixed feelings about Voges. He is scoring against NSW, but he is in good form with the test series coming up. Good to see Whiteman in the runs.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
STUMPS, DAY 2 Western Australia have got off to a flying start with Adam Voges putting the Warriors in good stead following a half century. Michael Hogan took his 200th Shield wicket as the Blues fell for 402 with David Moody finishing the innings with 3/91 with Ashton Turner (2/23) also having a good day with the ball. Cameron Bancroft (45), Michael Klinger (37) and Ashton Turner (38) all put on impressive totals however, there was no rivalling test incumbent Adam Voges who posted an impressive 58* from 126 balls hitting seven boundaries to put the Warriors at 4/194 at the end of day two. New South Wales 402 - Kurtis Patterson (75), David Moody 3/91 Western Warriors 4/194 - Adam Voges (58*), Trent Copeland 2/58
Pauly
Guest
It is pointless playing in NZ, they want to give players experience playing in NZ conditions. Give me a break, its an expensive exercise by CA. I tend to agree with Cowan why did they have to give up home ground advantage for a pointless match in NZ.
jamesb
Guest
Stumps day 2 WA 4/194 Voges 58* NSW 402
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Carried on like a spoilt child! One Game not enough if you ask me Don.
Don Freo
Guest
It's his first game of cricket since the BBL (and hardly batted then)...unless you count standing at the non-striker's end for 2 balls.
jamesb
Guest
Don, I am a fan. He has good compact technique for an opener. Bancroft did had a very good Indian A tour last year, and I sort of expecting him to kick on a bit. BTW, I'm a NSW fan, and I don't rate Maddinson at all.
Don Freo
Guest
He has many times already. You don't hang someone for not getting a ton. He'll get many more. Handscomb, Dean, Maddinson and Nevill all struggled too if you want to be fair.
jamesb
Guest
Disappointing by Bancroft to only make 45. He got a start and didn't go on with it. If he wants to play for Australia, he has to turn that 45 into something substantial.
Don Freo
Guest
It annoys me that one of the teams that makes the flight to NZ has to come from WA. Flying that long, you'd have to eat airline food. Someone was bound to get sick.
JohnB
Guest
Thanks Don.
Don Freo
Guest
He was too unwell on the eve of the match. Last minute withdrawal. He's probably ok now.