Luck may be finally turning around for Shaun Marsh after the dumped Australian batsman enjoyed a life in the Sheffield Shield clash at the Gabba on Tuesday.

Marsh (43 not out) helped Western Australia move to 1-155 at tea on day two in reply to Queensland’s first innings total of 251 – but not without some nervous moments.

The left-handed batsman was dropped on 34 at short-leg by Wade Townsend off leg-spinner Cameron Boyce just before tea.

Marsh hit eight fours in an unbeaten 76-run second wicket stand with Liam Davis (62 not out).

Marsh is desperate to find form ahead of the tour of the West Indies after being relegated to Shield cricket following four ducks in his past seven innings for Australia.

His run of outs looked set to continue when he was beaten first ball by Luke Feldman before surviving a confident LBW shout by another out to prove a point – Ben Cutting.

He continued to live dangerously when Cutting failed to get a hand on a tough return chance that thundered down to the boundary.

Cutting is also hoping to revive hopes of an Australian call-up after returning from a side strain suffered in December following a 12th man stint in the first Test against New Zealand.

Resuming at 0-57 after lunch, WA were reduced to 1-79 when Wes Robinson was bowled by Luke Feldman (1-36) for 42.

Cutting has 0-34 off eight overs.

Earlier, Chris Lynn’s 80 helped Queensland move their overnight score of 7-212 to 251 all out.

Nathan Rimmington (3-63), Nathan Coulter-Nile (4-66) and Mitchell Marsh (2-25 off 17 overs) impressed in the WA attack.