Victoria made an important breakthrough just before lunch on Friday on the second day of the crucial Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia at the WACA Ground in Perth.

Having been dismissed for 277 in their first innings earlier in the day after being sent into bat, the Bushrangers struck to have the home side 1-57 at the break.

Test paceman Peter Siddle (1-19) was the wicket-taker, removing Warriors opener Wes Robinson caught at second slip by Bushrangers’ skipper Cameron White for 26.

A lot will depend on Liam Davis (21no) and Shaun Marsh (4no) as the top of the table Warriors aim to bank competition points and boost their chances of hosting the Shield final.

Siddle’s scalp came after he also made valuable late-order runs in the Victorian innings, finishing unbeaten on 42.

Opener Rob Quiney top scored in the Victorian innings with 83, while Nathan Rimmington collected career-best figures of 5-46 for WA.

Victoria need to take some points from the match to stay in the hunt for a spot in the final.