Warriors mount lead

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Western Australia have registered their first point of the domestic season after claiming a 27-run lead over Victoria at the halfway stage of the Ryobi One-Day Cup match at the MCG on Saturday.

After 20 overs each, both sides have lost two wickets but it is Western Australia (2-107) who are scoring faster thanks to 13 boundaries from their top order compared to the Vics' first-up effort of four.

Earlier the Warriors sent the Bushrangers in to bat in bowler-friendly conditions and limited the home side to 2-80 from their first 20 overs.

Dangerous top-order batsmen, Brad Hodge (12) and Chris Rogers (one), were dismissed cheaply to give WA early honours.

The Vics' score always looked light but the Bushrangers struck early through Shane Harwood, who had Luke Ronchi (four) edging to a diving Dave Hussey at second slip. That suggested it could be a bowlers' day.

Nine overs later and after WA began to build momentum Peter Siddle trapped Michael Swart LBW for 13 with a lightning fast full delivery to give the Bushrangers hope of claiming a first-stage lead.

But Marcus North (31 from 29 balls) and Liam Davis (53 from 59) ensured the impetus was with Warriors by punishing loose balls from the Victorian attack.

Their 56-run partnership not only sealed the first point but will have the Bushrangers feeling nervous about bowling to them during the night session.

Opener Dirk Nannes (0-23 from three overs) and all-rounder Andrew McDonald (0-25 from four) looked rusty with the ball while Siddle and Hardwood threatened the most.

The Bushrangers will resume their batting with Aaron Finch (31 not out) David Hussey (21 not out) and with the pitch flattening out Victoria will look for quick runs in a bid to set a competitive target.

Victoria 1stFinch not out 31 (63)Rogers b Heal 1 (4)Hodge c Davis b Dixon 12 (27)Hussey not out 21 (27)Total: 80 (2 wickets, 20 overs)FoW: 1-3, 2-45

BowlingHeal 3 - 0 - 12 - 1Hogan 6 - 0 -12 - 0Johnston 3 - 0 - 13 - 0Duffield 4 - 0 - 20 - 0Dixon 4 - 0 - 16 - 1

Western Australia 1st InningsDavis not out 53 (59)Ronchi c Hussey b Harwood 4 (5)Swart lbw b Siddle 13 (27)North not out 31 (29)Total: 107 (2 wickets, 20 overs)FoW: 1-8, 2-51

BowlingHarwood 6 - 0 - 15 - 1Nannes 3 - 0 - 23 - 0Siddle 5 - 0 - 16 - 1McDonald 4 - 0 - 25 - 0McGain 2 - 0 - 9 - 0

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