Waugh shows the way as NSW win Pura Cup thriller

Justin Langer issued the challenge.

Steve Waugh - surprise, surprise - accepted.

He hasn't lost his sense of occasion.

Langer, the Western Australia captain, made a freewheeling 163 not out against New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground today, setting the Pura Cup match alight by chasing fast runs and making a bold declaration that triggered a thrilling limited overs-style run chase on the final afternoon.

The Blues were set 303 from 52 overs for outright victory.

Waugh clobbered 117 not out from 141 balls and the seriously in-form Simon Katich purred to an unbeaten 71 in 45 balls to get the defending Pura Cup champions over the line with 4.4 overs and five wickets to spare.

"It was a pretty incredible day," said the NSW and Australian skipper after the Blues finished on 5-303.

"I played well, paced myself well and Simon helped me out at the end.

"Full credit to both sides - for them setting a target and us going for it. A lot of sides wouldn't have gone for it. It was a generous declaration and we probably didn't deserve it but in the end it was a great game."

The revered Test skipper hustled to the crease at 3-70 in the 11th over after Michael Slater (17 off 21 balls) and pinch hitters Nathan Pilon (19 off 16) and Don Nash (13 off eight) had given the Blues a flying start.

Waugh immediately found the boundary through cover in an ominous sign. Driving on the rise, hitting powerfully, clearly enjoying the thrill of the chase, he raced to a half century from 46 balls, almost decapitating a few fieldsmen along the way.

And then a rarity - Waugh played a hook shot, believed to be his first since 1998.

The departure of Phil Jaques for a 35-ball cameo of 43 brought Mark Waugh to the crease. After a typically brief discussion, the twins set about making the 134 runs still required from 25 overs. Langer was eyeing off six more wickets, not the least because Katich supposedly had a thumb injury.

X-rays cleared Katich of any serious problem and he replaced Mark Waugh, who was bowled by Beau Casson for 13 not long after hitting an enormous six. Eighty-eight runs were needed from 16 overs and the mood was tense.

Coming off his imperious 182 not out in the first innings, Katich batted out of this world. Waugh was 100 when they joined forces and added only 17 runs of an 88-run stand in 77 balls with the classy left-hander.

"He couldn't move his thumb," said Waugh of Katich.

"I said take a couple of Panadol Fortes and get out there ... it was an amazing innings of his."

Langer deserved enormous credit for the aggressive team tactics and declaration which saved the game from fizzling into a tame draw.

Asked about Waugh, he shook his head and rolled his eyes.

"It ended up a great game," he said.

"We set them 300-odd in 52 overs - it was probably a pretty fair declaration."

Langer's boundary-riddled ton, a record-breaking 22nd for WA, came from just 236 balls and included 18 fours and two sixes. With Ryan Campbell, he racked up a quick 92-run stand in 66 minutes before gambling on a second innings declaration at 8-362, setting the Blues' their tempting target.

Waugh - and Katich - were unable to resist.

Five-hundred-and-eleven runs were scored on the day, about double the number of people lucky enough to be watching.