Some resilient batting from David Hussey wasn't enough to stop an injury-depleted Victorian side going down to Western Australia by 241 runs.

WHAT HAPPENED: Points: Vic 0, WA 6

David Hussey won the toss and invited the Warriors to bat on a new brownish deck that he expected to contain a bit more moisture than normal. The Vics, playing without Cameron White and Clint McKay - on duty in Hobart for Australia A - and Peter Siddle who was being rested ahead of the first Ashes Test, snared Mike Hussey (0) and Marcus North (17) cheaply and had their noses in front when WA was 6-196. But Mitchell Johnson and Adam Voges wrested back the momentum with a hard-hitting 138-run stand that helped the Warriors to compile 368. Johnson's 121 came from just 143 balls-faced and he enjoyed good support from Voges who made 95. John Hastings (3-66) returned the best figures for the Bushrangers.

The Vics suffered a setback with confirmation on day two that Andrew McDonald had suffered a broken hand while attempting to take a return catch from Johnson late on the opening day. McDonald would play no further part in the match. About half the day's play was lost to rain and bad light as the hosts limped to 3-77 at stumps.

Full of confidence after his heroics with the bat, Johnson proved just as devastating with the ball early on day three, finishing with 5-35 as the Vics were rolled for 141, their lowest first-innings score at home in three seasons. Rob Quiney, who top-scored in both innings of the Vics previous Shield match at the MCG, did it again with 54. Mike Hussey completed a timely century as the Warriors, leading by 227 on the first innings, raced to 3-222 when Marcus North declared late in the day setting the Vics 450 to win. By stumps the hosts had wiped off 41 runs with all nine wickets in hand.

Faced with an impossible task to win, the Bushrangers set themselves to bat out the final day. They fell a session short, bowled out just after tea with Hussey top-scoring with 57. Hastings batted with a runner because of shin soreness and was declared a doubtful starter for the Vics' next match against Queensland.

THE HERO: Mitchell Johnson

The Test quick hadn't been in the best form coming into this match but he rediscovered it with a vengeance with both bat and ball. His 121 was his maiden Shield century and his 5-35 in the first innings was just what he needed a week away from the first Ashes Test. Shame it had to be at the Vics' expense.

THE VILLAIN:  Andrew McDonald

It couldn't be helped, but the hurt from McDonald's broken hand resonated through the entire team. Not only did the injury rob the Bushrangers of the competition's form batsman coming off successive hundreds against NSW, but McDonald was probably the Vics' most effective bowler in the first innings before being forced to retire. The 29-year-old will be sidelined until the New Year.

DEFINING MOMENT:  

The Vics were anticipating a quick kill when they had WA 6-196 just after tea on the opening day. A score in the low 200s would have justified David Hussey's decision to send the visitors in. But the game got away from the Bushrangers as the Warriors smashed 173 in the final session for the loss of three wickets. Dropped twice, Johnson went on to make 121 and Adam Voges 95.

MILESTONES:

Mitchell Johnson's 121, his second first-class century and first in the Sheffield Shield

Mitchell Johnson's 5-35, his ninth first-class five-for

Michael Hussey's 118, his 53rd century at first class level

THE UPSHOT:  Vics Paddling

The Bushrangers remain in fourth place on the Shield table on eight points from four matches, six points adrift of competition leaders Tasmania. With six points from three matches, the Warriors leapfrog the Redbacks into fifth place.

WHERE TO NOW: No rest for the wicket

The Bushrangers have a brief opportunity to rest and regroup before hosting the Bulls in the Shield from next Friday, November 26, coming off a day-night Ryobi Cup clash at the MCG two days earlier. The Warriors' next Shield assignment is against the Blues at the WACA from November 28. 

WHO SAID WHAT: David Hussey:

"It's not over yet, no way. We've got some talented youngsters coming through and we get Cam White and Clint McKay back in next game so hopefully that strengthens the line-up. I think we've got a lot of good cricket to play. We've got Queensland here in a one-day match then the Shield game starts on the Friday. We're going to have to really dig deep, but I think we play our best cricket against Queensland. Hopefully that's going to be the turning point and we can get rid of all this complacency and start playing some good aggressive cricket again."

20 NOVEMBER, 2010 Angus Morgan at the MCG