Rain and a determined career-best knock from Josh Philippe have combined to push Victoria's quest for a Sheffield Shield victory against WA into the final day in Perth.
The final session on Thursday was washed out at the WACA Ground, leaving Victoria four wickets shy of opening their campaign with a resounding triumph.
There was also frustration for Philippe, who needs 17 for his maiden first-class century, though from a team perspective the 21-year-old will be content to bide his time in the pavilion.
The forecast suggests play will resume on Friday under cloudy skies with WA still in a precarious state at 6-205 in response to Victoria's demoralising 504.
They still need 91 to make Victoria bat again, with those hopes resting on Philippe, who was crafted a defiant and aggressive 83 from 117 deliveries after building on his overnight score of nine.
The penultimate day started ominously for the hosts when allrounder Marcus Stoinis (3) failed to add to his overnight score and WA slumped to 5-45.
However, Philippe and Josh Inglis combined to add 120 for the sixth wicket either side of a two-hour rain delay.
Inglis became Chris Tremain's fourth victim - and eighth for the match - after an enterprising 69 from 84 ball, a contribution that featured a dozen boundaries.
Philippe restarts his 83 alongside Cameron Green (16).
Inglis said Will Pucovski's career-best 243 for Victoria was the obvious point of difference after the WA attack struggled to contain the 20-year-old.
He and Philippe then tried to adopt the same approach when they met in the middle.
"The plan was just to be nice and positive and not be too defensive, or tentative," he said.
"Me and Josh both looked to be positive and just basically enjoy it and take the game on," Inglis said.
Pace bowler Tremain led the Victorian attack by backing up his first innings haul of 4-37 with 4-85.
The WACA has been a happy hunting ground for Tremain, who took 10 wickets against the Warriors there last season.
Australian Associated Press
