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

In reply to WA’s 175, the Bushrangers were dismissed for 375 right before tea on the second day, an overall lead of exactly 200 runs.

Such a big lead looked extremely unlikely when the Bushrangers were 8-264, but an audacious 70-run stand for the last wicket between Peter Siddle and Jon Holland tormented the Warriors.

Siddle blasted 87, falling with a rare century in sight when he holed out to deep third man off the bowling of Michael Hogan (3-73).

He hit 13 fours and two sixes.

On a lively wicket, McDonald also 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 Hogan.

Test hopeful Mitchell Johnson again bowled well for the home side, with 3-73 from 24 overs, continuing his encouraging start to the season.

Bowling with good pace, he maintained a good line and length and beat the bat numerous times to show he is getting back to something like his best form.