Bancroft, Inglis drive WA

A third Sheffield Shield century for the summer from Western Australian opener Cameron Bancroft and an unbeaten 88 from Josh Inglis has given the advantage to the home side on the opening day against Victoria at the WACA Ground.

Western Australia were 5-114 midway through the afternoon session but finished the day at 6-291, Bancroft's 17th first class ton the highlight with Inglis continuing his outstanding form as he approaches the third century of his career heading in to day two.

Victoria won the toss on a green WACA surface, choosing to bowl with both sides on the hunt for an outright result with two matches remaining until the Sheffield Shield final.

Sam Whiteman (13) fell to Scott Boland, sharply caught by Travis Dean at short leg inside the opening hour.

Shaun Marsh never got going as he departed for six, flirting outside off stump at Will Sutherland and edging a head high catch to Matthew Short at slip.

Bancroft was finding his fluency despite Victoria persisting with a strong leg side field, including a leg slip for most of his innings as he struck four quick boundaries after the lunch break to reach a half century.

An uncharacteristic knock from Cameron Green was ended on 13 when Jon Holland trapped him on the crease with an arm ball, the wily left arm spinner finding turn and bounce to remove Hilton Cartwright (4) two overs later.

When Jake Carder (5) edged behind to sharply snaffled by Seb Gotch to his left the Victorians were sensing a chance to break in to the WA tail, only to be denied by Bancroft and Inglis either side of Tea.

Bancroft took on Holland, striking two sixes over long on to move quickly through the 90's, bringing up his hundred with a clip over the on side to the midwicket fence to raise his third ton of the season and eleventh overall for Western Australia.

Inglis was looking his fluent self after his 57 ball 91 against the same opponent in the Marsh Cup on Tuesday, the stand reaching 87 as the shadows began to lengthen accross the ground late in the day.

It took a sensational catch from James Pattinson racing in off the deep square leg rope to end Bancroft's vigil at 113, having batted for more than five hours and faced 228 balls with ten fours and two sixes.

Inglis assumed control with team mate Joel Paris, taking the team through to stumps with a positive stand of 90 that had Western Australia in front of the match by the time the teams left the field on day one, Western Australia 6-291.

Paris drove the last ball of the day just inches wide of Nic Maddinson at mid-off, unbeaten on 46 while Inglis has struck twelve fours in his 88, as Western Australia look to push the game on during day two.

The second day commences at the WACA at 10:30, live on 91.3 Sport FM.

IMAGE: Cricket Australia.