Hilton Cartwright and Cam Bancroft drag WA back into contention to keep Sheffield Shield hopes alive

Hilton Cartwright has struck a dazzling ton and fit-again opener Cameron Bancroft has the chance to join him in the century club after Western Australia took control of their Sheffield Shield clash with NSW.

WA went to stumps on day two at 2-209 in their second innings, an overall lead of 144 with one day remaining in the crunch clash at the WACA Ground.

Cartwright is unbeaten on 108 off 199 balls, while Bancroft is 85 not out off 260 balls, with the pair’s partnership now 181.

It marked a successful return for Bancroft, who fractured his shoulder and broke his nose during a sickening outfield collision with his Sydney Thunder teammate Daniel Sams on January 3.

Cartwright’s century came at a perfect time, given how crucial the match is to Western Australia’s title hopes.

WA (32.63) sit third on the Shield table, just behind NSW (32.87) with only one more round to play after this one.

If WA lose to NSW, their hopes of a four-peat are over, but a win or a draw will keep them alive heading into next week’s clash with fourth-placed Victoria (30.64 points).

NSW started play on Saturday nicely placed at 8-258 in their second innings - an overall lead of 62.

But they were only able to add three more runs to their tally before their innings was brought to a close.

Bancroft juggled a catch at slip to send Chris Green packing for 25.

And Jack Edwards (48) was out four balls later when Sam Fanning held on to a spectacular one-handed catch at short leg.

Fanning’s heroics meant star WA paceman Lance Morris ended the innings with impressive figures of 5-26 from 20.3 overs.

Under strict Cricket Australia management plans, the injury-prone Morris will be limited to about 30 overs for the match.

It means Morris will need to cause mass destruction from limited opportunities when NSW bat again on Sunday.

WA were in deep trouble at 2-28 in their second innings following the quick departures of Sam Whiteman (9) and Jayden Goodwin (0) at the hands of Liam Hatcher (2-26).

But Bancroft and Cartwright dug in, the pair’s patient stand lifting WA out of trouble and into a position of strength.