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Michael Ramsey

Morris strikes early, Victoria 2-66 in Shield final

Lance Morris takes a well-earned drink after dismissing Marcus Harris early in the Shield final. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Lance Morris has removed Victoria danger man Marcus Harris in a rapid opening spell to give Western Australia the early upper hand in the Sheffield Shield final.

Harris (19) was trapped lbw in the returning quick's second over before Victoria went to lunch at day one at the WACA Ground on 2-66.

The left-hander had survived a nick to first slip off a Morris delivery two balls earlier which proved to be a front-foot no ball.

Captain Peter Handscomb was unbeaten on nine alongside young opener Ash Chandrasinghe, who dug in to be 20 off 85 balls.

Fellow rookie Campbell Kellaway came in at No.3 and was caught by a diving Cameron Bancroft at second slip on six after slashing at an Aaron Hardie delivery.

Chasing an unprecedented "six-peat" of consecutive Shield, one-day cup and Big Bash titles, WA won the toss on Thursday and elected to bowl after recalling frontline pace trio Morris, Matt Kelly and Joel Paris.

WA quick Lance Morris is eyeing off back-to-back Shield final wins against Victoria in Perth. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Morris, playing his first Shield game since being summoned to India with the Australian Test squad, immediately troubled Victoria's batters with his speed and bounce during an occasionally wayward spell.

Harris had looked in good touch, attacking any width after top-scoring during Victoria's final-round win over WA at the same venue last week.

The visitors preferred Test newcomer Todd Murphy's offspin in their XI ahead of the left-arm spin of veteran Jon Holland.

Opener Travis Dean was ruled out with a shoulder injury for the rematch of last year's drawn decider.

All five Shield matches played at the WACA this season have produced a result, although the pitch on Thursday appeared to offer something to both bowlers and batters.

In the scenario of a draw, the bonus points system will be used.

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 the bowling side claims during the same period.

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