Western Australia opener Sam Whiteman has the chance to post his maiden first-class double-century after surviving a tough morning session of the Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia at the WACA Ground.
In reply to SA's 299, the Warriors went to lunch on day three at 1-325, with Whiteman unbeaten on 173 off 340 balls.
Cameron Bancroft (135) was the only batsman to fall during a tough morning session that yielded just 69 runs for WA.
Bancroft departed when he chopped Wes Agar onto his stumps.
His 308-run partnership with Whiteman was WA's fifth biggest opening stand in first-class cricket.
Mike Veletta and Geoff Marsh still hold the record after putting together a mammoth 431-run partnership against South Australia at the WACA during the 1989/90 season.
Whiteman's highest Shield score of 176no came against Tasmania on November 22 last year.
The 30-year-old now has the perfect opportunity to notch a double-ton as WA look to build on their lead of 26.
The Redbacks' attack toiled manfully during the morning session on Sunday to thwart WA's bid to score quickly.
Brendan Doggett (0-44 from 27 overs) was the most miserly of the Redbacks bowlers, while Agar's breakthrough was well deserved.
WA'S HIGHEST FIRST-CLASS PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE OPENING WICKET
431 - Mike Veletta and Geoff Marsh v South Australia, WACA, 1989/90
374 - Mike Veletta and Geoff Marsh v Tamil Nadu, WACA, 1988/89
328 - Colin Milburn and Derek Chadwick v Queensland, Gabba, 1968/69
310 - Mike Veletta and Geoff Marsh v Tasmania, Bellerive Oval, 1988/89
308 - Cam Bancroft and Sam Whiteman v South Australia, WACA, 2022/23
