Test batsman Mike Hussey played a determined innings of 65 on Thursday before Western Australia lost momentum to reach 5-153 at tea on day one of their Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria.
Hussey, who is acting captain this week in the wake of Marcus North’s shock resignation, hit two fours and one six in his 162-minute performance after coming to the crease with the score on 1-2.
North was unbeaten on 32 at tea while Tom Triffitt was three not out.
Victorian captain Cameron White made use of the overcast conditions and green-tinged MCG pitch to send the visitors in to bat and opening bowler Clint McKay (2-29) made two key breakthroughs before lunch.
McKay bowled a probing line and had Marcus Harris caught behind for one in the second over of the match.
McKay also removed 20-year-old debutant Sam Whiteman (29) who was caught at first slip to make it 2-63.
Hussey was almost out for a first-ball duck. The 73-Test veteran inside-edged a delivery from James Pattinson to Test gloveman Matthew Wade who was unable to grasp a difficult and low half-chance.
Hussey was dismissed from the first delivery after a rain delay, caught at second slip by his brother David off Jayde Herrick’s bowling at 3-122 after adding 59 with North.
The Bushrangers made another breakthrough 20 runs later when a tentative Adam Voges (10) was also caught by David Hussey as Test quick Peter Siddle (2-47) claimed his first victim.
Mitchell Marsh (two) poked at a wide ball from Siddle and was caught behind two overs later as the Warriors lost 3-27 in a middle-order collapse.
Wade, who missed last weekend’s state one-day cup clash with a sore thumb, took several blows to the injured area on Thursday and appeared in pain during the post-lunch session.
North’s resignation for form reasons as state captain follows a troubled Champions League Twenty20 campaign for the North-led Perth Scorchers in South Africa last month.
The Perth players celebrated Mitchell Marsh’s 21st birthday in Cape Town and the quality of training sessions for the next two days was affected, according to a statement by the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA).
