Adelaide: Western Australian (WA) captain Justin Langer scored his first first-class century of the summer to drive his team to first innings points against South Australia (SA) in its Sheffield Shield match at Adelaide Oval on Friday. At stumps, WA was 299 for two, with Murray Goodwin on 108 and Mike Hussey on nine. WA held a 73-run first innings lead, after SA was dismissed for 226 in its first innings on day one. Test opener Langer scored 164, which included 16 fours and two sixes from 263 balls, and ensures he will head into the fourth Ashes Test against England, starting in Melbourne next Thursday, in top form. In Sydney, Steve Waugh bowled with dramatic effect against Victoria, but New South Wales (NSW) sunk on poor batting. By stumps on day two, NSW was 110 for five in its second innings, still trailing Victoria by 18 runs with five wickets in hand. Mark Waugh (35 not out) and Michael Clarke (23 not out), who came together at 51 for five, added 59 runs. Earlier in the day Test skipper Steve Waugh took 2-15 as Victoria was dismissed for 269 in its first innings in reply to NSW's 141. Leg spinner Stuart MacGill, vying to replace injured Shane Warne in the Australian Test side, chipped in with 3-56, including a spell of 3-16 from nine overs. In Hobart, Martin Love hit 190 to put Queensland in a powerful position against Tasmania. At stumps on the second day, Tasmania was 50 for two in reply to Queensland's first innings of 408 for eight declared. Love's big innings on a difficult Bellerive Oval wicket left Tasmania in the position where it could do little more than try to avoid defeat. Love batted for 514 minutes and hit 28 boundaries and received support from Lee Carseldine, who made 55.

Tags: cricket, adelaide, western australian, wa, justin langer, south australia, sa, sheffield shield, adelaide oval, murray goodwin, mike hussey, ashes, england, steve waugh, victoria, new south wales, nsw, mark waugh, michael clarke, stuart macgill, shane warne, martin love, queensland, tasmania.