An undermanned South Australia was locked in a tight battle with WA at stumps on day two of their Pura Cup match.

The Redbacks were 5-229 in reply to Warriors captain Simon Katich's bold declaration at 7-346 with Shane Deitz (53no) and Mike Smith (2no) at the crease.

But the Redbacks may as well be an extra wicket down after opener David Fitzgerald (4) suffered a fractured cheekbone from a Brad Williams bouncer. The former West Australian retired hurt after the Williams' delivery jagged back and crashed into the side of his helmet.

He was taken from the WACA ground to hospital for an X-ray and was unlikely to bat again in the match.

Both teams will be looking to conjure up a large outright victory in the next two days to give themselves a shot at making next week's final.

Meanwhile, evergreen WA quick Jo Angel (2-29) continued to close in on Terry Alderman's record of 384 wickets as the second highest wicket-taker in domestic first class cricket.

The 33-year-old needs just three more scalps to pass Alderman and also become WA's leading wicket-taker in Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup history.

Opener Ben Johnson (2) was the first Redback to fall just before lunch with the ball cannoning off his bat into the stumps off Angel's bowling.

Fitzgerald left the playing field in very different circumstances following the third ball after lunch which struck him on the helmet.

Blewett and Chris Davies then put on 79 for the second wicket before Davies (42) fell to a brilliant catch by Marcus North at first slip off Brad Hogg's (1-14) bowling.

Nathan Adcock (18) didn't last long before quick Matthew Nicholson (1-56) removed him but captain Greg Blewett (64) lingered at the crease after he was given out leg before for Angel's second.

And Young (36) fell late in the day when he chipped a ball to Michael Hussey at midwicket off North's (1-56) bowling.

Katich earlier closed the Warriors innings straight after Chris Rogers (101no) brought up his maiden Pura Cup century.

But the 24-year-old was fortunate to make a ton after surviving a very confident caught behind appeal off Johnson's bowling on 93.

He and North (111) put on 144 runs for the fifth wicket to ensure the Warriors posted the 300-plus score.

North only added eight runs to his overnight score before he attempted to glance the ball through slips once too often and found Young for Smith's (2-82) second wicket.

The Redbacks looked to be getting back into the match just seven runs later when returning quick Paul Wilson (2-98) dismissed Hogg (4).

But Rogers and Nicholson (10) then put together 37 runs before the paceman fell to Johnson (1-12).

© 2002 AAP