Marsh all but seals spot for SA Tests with WACA ton

After scoring 73 in the first innings, Shaun Marsh struck a century on the third day of Western Australia's day-night Sheffield Shield game against South Australia at the WACA. Marsh, returning from a hamstring injury, has been declared fit and is expected to be named in Australia's squad for the home Tests against South Africa on Friday.

Marsh had suffered a right hamstring tear while batting for Western Australia in a Matador Cup game earlier this month. He played the Shield match to prove his fitness and may have done enough to merit selection, having struck a century in Australia's previous Test against Sri Lanka in August.

However, despite Marsh's efforts, Western Australia were facing defeat, with South Australia requiring just 37 more to win the game with all 10 wickets intact.

South Australia had begun the day on 8 for 474. Kane Richardson and Chadd Sayers, the two overnight batsmen, built the lead before South Australia declared on 9 for 505 to take a 234-run advantage. Western Australia put up 302 in their second innings, courtesy Marsh's 110 and Hilton Cartwright's 110-ball 80. That left South Australia with 69 to get. They ended on 32 without loss.

Marsh and Cartwright were left to lift Western Australia from 4 for 107, after Chadd Sayers picked up three quick wickets to derail them from 1 for 97. Marsh and Cartwright added 109 for the fifth wicket, before Sayers struck again, having Marsh caught behind for his fourth and final wicket.

Cartwright added 42 more for the sixth wicket with Ashton Agar before being dismissed by Travis Head, the South Australia captain. Agar was the ninth man dismissed, for 33, and Western Australia's innings ended shortly after. Sayers finished with 4 for 57, and Daniel Worrall, Kane Richardson and Head took two each.

South Australia struck at four an over in the eight overs they batted, with Kelvin Smith and Jake Weatherald striking six fours between them.