Klinger and Marsh score fifties for WA

Western Australia 6 for 217 (Klinger 70, Marsh 64, Fawad 3-77) trail Victoria 7 for 423 dec (Maxwell 98, Dean 84, Finch 79, Stoinis 58, Moody 4-104, Tye 3-101) by 206 runs
Scorecard

Michael Klinger and Shaun Marsh both scored half-centuries but their team-mate and fellow Test hopeful Cameron Bancroft fell cheaply on the second day of Western Australia's Sheffield Shield game against Victoria at the MCG. The Warriors finished the day on 7 for 217, still trailing Victoria by 206 runs, with Ashton Agar at the crease on 30 and David Moody on 1.

Much of the interest on the second day centred on how the Test contenders would fare after the news that Usman Khawaja would miss at least the next two Tests due to a hamstring strain. Marsh and Bancroft had both been part of Australia's Test squad for the abandoned tour of Bangladesh, while Klinger has been one of the highest scorers in domestic cricket over the past year.

Bancroft was caught at third slip for 4 when he drove at a delivery from James Pattinson, and after Peter Siddle removed the other opener, Will Bosisto, Klinger and Marsh joined forces for an 86-run stand. But both missed the chance to score a century: Marsh holed out to long-on off Fawad Ahmed for 64, and Klinger edged Scott Boland to slip for 70.

Earlier, Victoria had declared at 7 for 423 after Glenn Maxwell narrowly missed a hundred, bowled by Moody for 98. Aaron Finch scored 79 batting at No.5.