Sydney: An unbeaten 63 by talented youngster Michael Clarke lifted New South Wales' (NSW) hopes of an outright win in the crucial Sheffield Shield clash against Western Australia in Newcastle, north of here, on Saturday. Clarke, 21, hammered six fours and a six in his 100-ball knock as his side reached 181 for four wickets in their second innings, leading by 163 runs with one day remaining. New South Wales was in early trouble after dismissing Western Australia (WA) for 388 - a lead of 18 over the home side. Clarke and Mark Waugh (25 not out) will be aiming on Sunday to lift their team's lead and leave their bowlers with enough time to dismiss Western Australia a second time. NSW desperately need the six points from an outright win to stay in the hunt for a place in the Shield final in March.

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Tags: cricket, sydney, michael clarke, new south wales, nsw, sheffield shield, western australia, newcastle, mark waugh.