Marsh, Klinger push Test claims

Alcohol.Think Again Western Warriors captain Shaun Marsh is cursing his lapse of concentration as an invaluable Sheffield Shield cricket century went begging at the MCG.

The Warriors are struggling at 7-217 after day two of the match against the Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers, well short of the Victoria's 7 (dec)-423.

Confirmation that Usman Khawaja would most likely miss the next two Tests with a hamstring injury also meant an extra layer of interest in this match.

Marsh and teammates Cameron Bancroft and Michael Klinger are among the favourites to take Khawaja's place.

WATCH: Klinger's knock at the 'G

But none of the three WA batsmen made a definitive statement on Sunday.

Bancroft only made four and Klinger was dismissed for 70.

Marsh was set at 67 when he lofted leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed down Scott Boland's throat at long on.

"Obviously it was a pretty poor shot on my behalf and it was disappointing, with the way I was going," he said.

"I was feeling really good out there and I threw my wicket away."

Marsh said he was not thinking about a Test recall, adding his focus was leading a WA fightback over the next two days.

"It's not an ideal day for us - Victoria are obviously ahead," he said.

"But we come here tomorrow and we think we can get back into the game.

"We're just going to have to fight really hard."

They will probably have to do it without Hilton Cartwright, who hurt his hip flexor while fielding on Saturday and is yet to bat in the first innings.

WATCH: Maxwell's blistering 98

Glenn Maxwell, who top-scored in Victoria's first innings with 98, said the wickets of Marsh and Klinger were crucial.

"To get both of those guys out with still plenty of time left in the day was probably a big key for us," he said.

"It really slowed the scoring down and that's going to be the key to the second innings, to get those guys early."

Maxwell and Aaron Finch set up a big day for Victoria by scoring quickly before lunch.

Finch made 79 in their 174-run partnership.

"I was a bit disappointed not to get a hundred - I make a big habit of making 80s and 90s at the moment," Maxwell said.

"It would be nice to get a hundred, but it doesn't really matter with the situation of the game at the moment."

Maxwell said his poor form last month in the domestic one dayers meant he was low in the pecking order for a potential Test recall.

He and Marsh paid credit to Victoria's bowlers, who restricted WA's scoring.

"It's a very good position - the way we bowled today on a pretty flat, slow wicket, I thought we did really well," Maxwell said.

"We created chances by building pressure."

Ahmed has taken 3-77, while David Moody (4-104) and Andrew Tye (3-101) were WA's wicket takers.