Western Australia skipper Mitch Marsh says his side needs to find an answer to their top-order batting woes if they are to be serious Sheffield Shield title contenders.
The Warriors slumped to a 104-run loss to NSW at Optus Stadium on Friday, with their batting wobbles proving to be their downfall.
WA have suffered a top-order batting collapse in eight of their nine Shield innings this season.
Against NSW, the Warriors slumped to 4-68 in the first innings before posting 198.
It was even worse in the second dig, when WA were reeling at 6-64 before a brisk 81 from Marcus Stoinis guided them to 212.
NSW were missing Test stars Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazelwood, but still had too much firepower for the Warriors.
The brilliance of Shaun Marsh has helped WA snare two wins this Shield season.
But with the Marsh brothers now unavailable because of Test duties, WA will need others to stand up to deliver the goods.
"It's something we certainly need to address," Mitch Marsh said of the batting collapses.
"We've wasted a few opportunities, and we've had a few brilliant performances that have gotten us out of trouble.
"If we can put it all together, we'll start playing some consistent cricket. That's what you've got to do if you want to start winning Sheffield Shields.
"Ultimately we've got to put our hands up as players and turn it around."
Set 317 for victory, WA were dismissed for 212 shortly before lunch on the final day.
NSW spinner Nathan Lyon finished with 4-86 to go with his first-innings haul of 3-34, while Trent Copeland and Sean Abbott finished with three wickets apiece.
The Blues (20.59) moved into second spot on the table, while WA (18.72) slipped to third.
WA's TOP ORDER COLLAPSES THIS SEASON
*4-42 against Victoria
*5-45 against Victoria
*2-5 against Tasmania
*3-42 against Queensland
*4-44 against South Australia
*2-24 against South Australia
*4-68 against NSW
*6-64 against NSW
