Chen was only three shots off the pace after backing up his opening five-under 66, which had featured a hole-out eagle, with a 67 in the second round on Friday, sitting at nine-under for the tournament and in a share of sixth place.

The 23-year-old fired six birdies against two bogeys in the second round to trail joint leaders Shaun Norris and Bernd Wiesberger by three shots.

Also well within striking distance is another Australian, Anthony Quayle.

After opening with a one-under 70 on Thursday, the 31-year-old caught fire with a seven-under 64 on Friday which featured seven birdies and no bogeys.

The player who grew up in Gove, a mining town on the north-east tip of the Northern Territory, is at eight-under for the tournament, just four shots off the lead and in a share of ninth place.

South African Norris, who shot a sizzling eight-under 63 in the first round, backed it up with a four-under 67 on Friday.

Austria's Wiesberger carded a five-under 66 on Friday, following on from a brilliant 64 in the opening round.