Mitch Marsh's Test audition has failed, dismissed cheaply for the second time in Western Australia's Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at the MCG.

In his first red ball game since being dropped by Australia following last year's Boxing Day Test, Marsh made just four in WA's second innings on Saturday after managing nine on day one.

Australia's white ball star lasted just six balls as he fell to Victorian seamer Sam Elliott (5-33 and 2-14), who is enjoying one of the best games of his first-class career.

Marsh, who last played a Shield match in October 2024, had been touted as a potential shock factor at the top of Australia's order in this summer's Ashes.

But another Test call-up seems unlikely with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald making a promising start to their opening combination for Australia.

Marsh had to wait more than half a day on Saturday to get an opportunity to bat, with no play possible until midway through the second session due to rain in Melbourne.

With WA starting day three on 1-5, Marsh was quickly in the game after nightwatchman Corey Rocchiccioli was trapped lbw by Elliott.

The visitors crumbled to 3-17 when Marsh exited, before captain Sam Whiteman (41 from 120 balls) and fellow veteran Hilton Cartwright (6*) rallied.

The pair got WA to 4-75, a lead of 14, when bad light stopped play midway through the final session.

But play was able to resume again, with WA getting to 4-98 at stumps and Whiteman unbeaten on 56.

With the weather likely to be fine on Sunday, Victoria will still fancy their chances of running through WA and securing an outright win.