Beaton helps Western Australia take control

20-year-old Tom Beaton's unbeaten 72 helped Western Australia to a 377-run lead on the third day of their Sheffield Shield match against South Australia. Alongside a half-century from captain Marcus North, it helped Western Australia take firm control despite four wickets Peter George.

Coming into the day, Western Australia were sitting on a 72-run lead with nine wickets in hand and had to rebuild after losing nightwatchman Michael Beer early in the day. No. 4 to No. 9 all made good starts but it was only North and Beaton who passed 45.

At one stage, when North fell, Western Australia were 6 for 211 with South Australia well in the game, but Beaton found solid support form Luke Ronchi, in a 37-run stand and then shared a bright stand with Nathan Coulter-Nile, who swished seven boundaries in his 41-ball 35. By the time he fell to the impressive George, Western Australia were well in control with a lead of 365.

With his job now done with the bat, Coulter-Nile and his fellow bowlers have to finish off the match on the final day.