Veteran seamer Cameron Gannon’s five-wicket haul keeps WA in Sheffield Shield contest with Victoria

A five-wicket haul from veteran seamer Cameron Gannon has kept Western Australia in their Sheffield Shield contest against Victoria at the MCG.

But the visitors still have all the work to do - and will hope for a big contribution from superstar Mitch Marsh - if they are to grab their second win of the season.

The ladder-leaders were dominating proceedings midway through the second day, being positioned at 3-166 in response to WA’s first-innings total of 194.

WA — who currently sit last on the shield table with only a solitary win from their five games — were then able to fight back and bowl Victoria out for 255.

WA lost Cameron Bancroft for two in the eight overs they were required to bat before stumps but Ashes aspirant Mitch Marsh did not appear at No.3, with Corey Rocchiccioli coming to the crease in his place as a nightwatchman.

Rocchiccioli was able to get through the rest of the day and will resume on one not out, alongside captain Sam Whiteman (two not out) with WA situated on 1-5, still 56 runs in arrears of their hosts.

Marsh will be central to WA’s hopes of making enough runs in their second innings to give their bowlers a score to defend while leaving themselves enough time to bowl Victoria out again.

Victorian opener Blake Macdonald helped his side get away to a strong start with the bat but fell just short of his maiden first-class hundred, top-edging a Brody Couch bumper to Liam Haskett at fine leg to depart for 79.

He was replaced at the crease by Australia white-ball regular Matt Short, who made a brisk 62 which ended when he slapped Gannon to Whiteman at long off in search of quick runs batting with the lower order.

Gannon helped to quickly mop up Victoria’s lower order, claiming four of the final five wickets to finish with figures of 5-47 from his 23 overs.

Rocchiccioli claimed two wickets including former Test opener Marcus Harris for 11, while Aaron Hardie, Couch and Haskett jagged one apiece.

Gannon said he was proud of how his side had stuck at their task to keep themselves in the game.

“We’ve given ourselves a chance, we’ve fought back and shown a bit of grit,” he said.

“I’m very proud of the bowling group. Rocc bowled really well, I think Hask deserved more than he got, I think he bowled the house down, and Brody Couch, good pace.

“Hopefully, tomorrow, we can bat all day and make this a really good contest.”