Shaun Marsh did his chances of a Test recall no harm and Adam Voges continued his strong form as Western Australia fought back in their Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at the WACA Ground.
At stumps on day two, WA were 5-219 in reply to Victoria’s 350, with Voges on 91 and Sam Whiteman on one.
Marsh, who has scored two first-class tons already this summer, fell for 55 just 18 minutes before stumps.
The 31-year-old would have been playing for Australia in the first Test against India at Adelaide Oval if Michael Clarke hadn’t passed a series of fitness tests on his troublesome hamstring.
But with Clarke now in doubt for the second Test in Brisbane due to a flare-up of his back injury, Marsh is in prime position to earn a dream recall.
Marsh took some time to find his groove after coming in with his team a tad vulnerable at 3-112.
The left-hander survived a strong LBW shout when on six, but he looked superb once he hit his straps.
The nine-Test batsman went from 27 to 47 in the space of one Dan Christian over after cracking the all-rounder for five boundaries, but he fell shortly before stumps when he sliced Glenn Maxwell straight to point.
Voges, who hit an unbeaten 109 against Tasmania last month, holds the key to WA’s hopes of building a first-innings lead.
The 35-year-old entered the fray with his team in trouble at 2-45, but his cool head helped WA snare some important momentum before Marsh and nightwatchman Jason Behrendorff fell late in the day.
Earlier, WA batsman Tom Beaton was hit flush on his helmet grille after ducking into a rising delivery from Christian.
With the tragic death of Phillip Hughes still on everyone’s minds, players and umpires rushed in to check on Beaton’s welfare.
Beaton, who will play for the Melbourne Renegades in the BBL this summer, was able to shake off the blow, but he looked scratchy throughout his innings before falling for 18.
Victoria were left kicking themselves during the morning session after losing their last four wickets for just 11 runs.
WA paceman Simon Mackin snared three of those wickets, with his dismissal of Matthew Wade for 68 sparking the swift collapse.
Whiteman suffered a late scare when the ball ricocheted off the stumps and hit him on the helmet while he ran a single, but he was ok.
Voges said Marsh would definitely be ready to fire if picked for a Test recall.
“Shaun is going beautifully this year, coming off 100 in the last game against the Vics,” Voges said.
“They had him in the Test squad in Adelaide as back-up, so they see him as Clarke’s replacement if he’s not fit.
“The way he’s batting at the moment, I’m sure he’ll do a great job if he gets picked.”
