Western Australia 5 for 277 (Philippe 100, Short 90) beat Victoria 9 for 274 (Handscomb 93, Tye 4-54) by five wickets
A massive opening partnership from Western Australian pair Josh Philippe and D'Arcy Short lifted the defending Marsh Cup holders to a commanding five-wicket win over Victoria in Melbourne.
WA eased over the line with 14 balls to spare. The contest seemed settled as the WA openers put on a match-defining partnership of 166 at almost a run a ball.
Philippe was dismissed for 100 the ball after reaching his ton, while Short made a more measured 90 before falling with victory in sight. Philippe, having brought up his half-century with a six, reached three figures off just 95 balls in a knock that featured three sixes.
Victoria allrounder Will Sutherland, who had Philippe caught at the wicket, then produced an extraordinary one-handed catch to send Short back to the pavilion. Despite some late pressure, Hilton Cartwright helped WA home with an unbeaten 26.
The visitors, in their first outing of the domestic summer and first since holding off Victoria in last season's Sheffield Shield final, impressed with both bat and ball.
Victoria won the toss but slipped to 5 for 92 in the wake of some fine pace and seam bowling.
Jhye Richardson was absent from the WA line-up as a precaution with hamstring soreness. The Test quick's absence had little impact with Andrew Tye returning 4-54 to headline a strong team bowling performance.
Victoria captain Peter Handscomb held the home side's innings together just as it threatened to crumble. He made 93 from 110 balls, while there were also fast-scoring contributions from middle-order pair Matt Short (43 from 38 balls) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (36 from 42).
Victoria opened the domestic season on Friday with a contentious victory over New South Wales, with the umpires ending the weather-impacted match for bad light the ball after the lead had changed hands via the DLS method.
Will Pucovski, having shone in the opener with a half-century, fell cheaply for just 5, while there was also a failure for another Test aspirant with Marcus Harris making 8.
