A slashing century by captain Andrew McDonald helped Victoria claim first-innings points in the Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia at the WACA Ground.

In reply to WA’s 175, the Bushrangers were 7-248 at lunch on the second day, an overall lead of 73 runs with three wickets in hand.

John Hastings was on 32 and Peter Siddle was on six.

On a lively wicket, McDonald adopted an aggressive approach at the crease and reaped the rewards he raced to his 11th first-class hundred, making 101.

Fittingly, it was the skipper that secured the first-innings points for the visitors, slashing Nathan Rimmington through point for a boundary.

He brought up his century in similar fashion just a short time later, cutting seamer Nathan Coulter-Nile over gully for four.

However, he was caught behind the very next ball, when he again tried to slash a short ball outside off stump.

McDonald had faced just 88 balls, hitting 16 fours and one six.

He teamed with wicketkeeper-batsman Peter Handscomb for an important fourth-wicket stand of 77 that steadied the chase after they were looking shaky at 3-82.

The latter contributed just 19 before being bowled by Michael Hogan.

Coulter-Nile led the way for the Warriors with 3-55.

Test hopeful Mitchell Johnson bowled well for the home side, with 2-45 from 17 overs, continuing his encouraging start to the season.