Bancroft fails again as WA face big chase

Western Australia 272 (Klinger 70, Marsh 64, Agar 54, Fawad 5-105) and 1 for 25 need another 365 runs to beat Victoria 7 for 423 dec and 7 for 238 dec (Quiney 79, Tye 3-58)
Scorecard

Test aspirant Cameron Bancroft fell cheaply for the second time in Western Australia's Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the MCG, where the Warriors were set a chase of 390 for victory. At stumps on the third day they still needed a further 365 with opener Will Bosisto at the crease on 15 alongside nightwatchman David Moody on 0, with the total at 1 for 25.

They had already lost Bancroft, who was lbw to Fawad Ahmed for 6 to add to his 4 from the first innings, hardly the kind of audition he was hoping for after Usman Khawaja's hamstring injury opened up a place in the Test side. His team-mates and fellow Test contenders, Shaun Marsh and Michael Klinger, had scored fifties in the first innings and will likely bat on day four.

The day had started with the Warriors on 7 for 217 in their first innings, and they added 55 for the loss of their final three wickets. Ashton Agar scored 54 and Fawad finished with 5 for 105 after claiming two of the last three wickets in the innings.

Victoria extended their healthy lead through opener Rob Quiney, who top scored in the second innings with 79. Peter Handscomb (36), Glenn Maxwell (38) and debutant wicketkeeper Aaron Ayre (36) all made contributions before the declaration came at 7 for 238.