Western Australia have finally won a session at the MCG as they battled their way to 6-248 on day three of the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria.
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Ashton Turner was unbeaten on 79 and Josh Inglis was 29 not out.
They had put on 63 for the seventh wicket after WA resumed at 5-170.
Will Bosisto was the only wicket to fall so far on day three, with Jon Holland trapping him lbw for 29.
Turner had a life on 62 when he edged Matt Short, with Cameron White unable to snare a tough chance at slip.
It was the first glimmer of hope for WA after Victoria declared their first innings at 9-424.
WA coach Adam Voges has pledged to help lighten Mitch Marsh's load as the allrounder attempts to build a case for a Test recall.
Marsh's first Sheffield Shield innings since he was dropped for Australia's four-match Test series against India ended in disappointment, the WA skipper caught behind for a tentative 21 on Saturday.
"I think I can certainly try to lessen his load a little bit and I think his teammates can as well," Voges said.
"He takes on a huge amount of responsibility when he comes back to us, so any way we can help him we'll certainly try to."
With Peter Handscomb preferred in Australia's middle order, Marsh's bid for a recall had a bad start.
He received a life on six when White was unable to take a sharp chance at second slip off James Pattinson and never really appeared settled.
"He probably wasn't as fluent as I've seen him so far this year," Voges said.
"He's got a lot on his plate, I understand that, but he's working hard behind the scenes.
"He carries a big load. He's our captain, he bowls, he bats in our top four.
"That wasn't as fluent as I've seen him but I still think he's going OK."
Australian Associated Press