David Hussey is fighting but faces a mammoth task to save Victoria in the Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia at the WACA Ground.

At stumps on day two, Victoria are in desperate trouble at a dismal 7-158 in reply to WA’s massive first-innings total of 8(dec)-581.

The pitch offered nothing to Victoria’s bowlers but the Bushrangers batsmen were reeling immediately, losing four wickets before tea for 19 with Rob Quiney (six), Aaron Finch (five), Cameron White (zero) and Peter Handscomb (seven) falling quickly.

Nathan Coulter-Nile (3-46) was responsible most of the early damage while his fellow paceman, left-armer Jason Behrendorff, was just as impressive snaring 3-44.

Hussey, returning to the Victorian team after being dropped for last week’s win over Tasmania, looked scratchy when he came to the wicket with the Bushrangers 4-25.

But the 36-year-old battled through to be 76 not out while Clint McKay is the other unbeaten batsman on 13 as the visitors trail by 423 runs.

Hussey and Glenn Maxwell (38) put on 48 for the fifth wicket before the allrounder was caught and then Dan Christian made just one before becoming Behrendorff’s third victim.

Hussey then combined with John Hastings for a 54-run stand before Hastings (six) fell to Mitch Marsh (1-26).

Earlier, WA ended Victoria’s misery in the field after Bushrangers skipper Quiney won the toss and regrettably sent the home side in to bat.

The pitch was flat and slow, and the Warriors had no trouble whatsoever amassing the runs with Marcus North making 145, Shaun Marsh an unbeaten 127, Sam Whiteman 87, Cameron Bancroft 86 and Adam Voges 69.

Hastings was the best of the Victorian bowlers, finishing with 2-52 from 20 overs.