New South Wales 6 for 443 dec (Henriques 167, Solway 86) and 2 for 107 drew with Western Australia 534 (Green 197, Whiteman 114, Kelly 89, Abbott 6-89)
The final day between Western Australia and New South Wales became notable for two near-misses of personal milestones by Cameron Green and Matthew Kelly as the game petered out to a draw at tea on a docile surface.
Kelly, who had never passed fifty before in his first-class career, was blazing his way towards a maiden century before being caught in the deep while Green, after batting throughout the third day, was given lbw for 197 and was distraught by the decision as he was sure he had hit the ball.
In a game dominated by the bat, Sean Abbott deserved much credit for his preservice in collecting 6 for 89 before New South Wales comfortably wiped out the deficit to ensure against any late uncertainty.
Western Australia were the only side with the slightest chance of forcing a result at the start of the day and opted for scoreboard pressure by extending their innings until shortly before lunch. Green dropped anchor, almost batting himself to a standstill as he added 12 in 60 balls to his overnight 185, while Kelly brought out the long handle.
After bringing up his maiden half-century from 72 balls he swung five sixes in 12 balls against Nathan Lyon and Jason Sangha before Peter Nevill brought back his quicks to try and stem the damage. Kelly wasn’t too far from his eighth six when he picked out deep midwicket.
Green’s marathon innings – the longest in the Sheffield Shield in terms of balls faced since 2015 when Cameron Bancroft faced 567 deliveries for 211 – then ended when Abbott nipped one back to take his back leg, but Green could barely believe it when the umpire’s finger went up and had to drag himself, head in hands, from the crease.
Abbott’s sixth wicket wrapped up the innings shortly before lunch and when Daniel Hughes was bounced out by Cameron Gannon, gloving a catch to the slips, there was a glimmer of Western Australia causing problems but a stand of 72 between Nick Larkin and Kurtis Patterson closed out the contest.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo