A topsy-turvy day has ended with Western Australia in the ascendancy in the Sheffield Shield final despite a Victoria fightback at the WACA.
Despite having the better of two sessions, the Vics trail Western Australia at stumps on day two by 239 runs with seven first-innings wickets in hand.
The visitors couldn't quite find the momentum the hosts enjoyed with the bat, scoring at just 2.5 runs an over to be 3-147.
Skipper Peter Handscomb (39no) and nightwatchman Mitch Perry (10no) will resume at the crease.
Will Sutherland produced a superb spell of bowling in the first hour on Friday to haul the Vics back into the contest with a five-wicket haul.
WA resumed after a dominant day one at 3-290, but Sutherland -- aided by Scott Boland -- turned around that momentum as the hosts remarkably lost 6-35.
Sutherland was rewarded for his pace and accuracy with figures of 5-78, while Boland picked up 3-80.
"It was a pleasing morning all up," Sutherland said.
"For me personally, I just found a bit more rhythm, I struggled yesterday (where) it was quite windy."
Among the latter's scalps was top-scorer and day one star Cameron Bancroft who was dismissed for 141, having added just six runs to his overnight total.
Amid the rush of wickets was a new Sheffield Shield all-time single-season record of 25 catches set by Handscomb.
Victoria's good work, though, was partly undone by the unlikeliest of figures.
Rookie spinner Corey Rocchiccioli, boasting a career tally of just one run from three matches and without a first grade fifty, thumped a couple of sixes batting at No.10 in scoring 50 off just 29 balls.
Victoria fought back as Travis Dean and Will Pucovski survived the middle-session without loss in a 75-run opening partnership.
Young ace Pucovski impressed for his 51, while fellow opener Dean contributed 28.
Matt Short was third wicket to fall in the final session, with Aaron Hardie (2-35) claiming the late wicket.
With rain predicted on Sunday the prospect of a draw in the five-day fixture remains a possibility as WA chase a drought-breaking Shield final win.
In the scenario of a draw, the bonus points system will be used, with WA well placed after they restricted Victoria's run-scoring.
Teams score 0.01 of a bonus point for every run over 200 they score during the first 100 overs of their first innings, while 0.1 of a bonus point is earned for every wicket claimed during an opponent's first innings.
WA reached 307 after 100 overs while the Vics have already faced 58 overs.
The last Shield triumph for WA was in 1999, while Victoria have been the most successful state over the past decade, most recently winning in 2019.
"You are never comfortable in Shield cricket but we are very happy with the position we have got ourselves in," Rocchiccioli said.
"The fact we have the opportunity to drive the game, that is what we tried for."
