Marsh's 27th first-class ton piloted the hosts to 4-256 at stumps on day two, in reply to Victoria's 341 at the WACA Ground.

The 36-year-old finished the day's play unbeaten on 101, with Marcus Stoinis (56) and Hilton Cartwright (42) also chipping in.

Bancroft lasted just 17 balls before being caught by Marcus Harris at leg gully off the bowling of James Pattinson (1-53).

He was dismissed in the same fashion when he made a first-ball duck in the second innings of WA's opening-round draw with Tasmania.

Victoria's pace attack had a clear intent to target Bancroft's pads and the 26-year-old soon fell into the trap.

Dropped during the Ashes series, Bancroft's vulnerability on the leg side is a major hurdle to his hopes of earning a Test recall.

Incumbent openers Harris and David Warner are at short odds to retain their spots for the first Test against Pakistan starting November 21 at the Gabba.

Harris scored 69 in Victoria's first innings but was dismissed in ugly fashion, trapped lbw while playing across the line of a Matt Kelly delivery.

WA reached 2-137 at tea before Marsh, captaining the side in the absence of injured younger brother Mitch, reached his century off 184 balls.

The elder Marsh was dropped twice - first by Chris Tremain at gully on two off the bowling of Scott Boland then by Sam Harper on 51, with the Victorian wicketkeeper unable to hold on to a reasonably difficult chance while diving to his left.

Cartwright was also gifted a reprieve when he was dropped by Peter Handscomb at first slip from the off-spin of Glenn Maxwell.

Pattinson, competing with Mitchell Starc for Australia's third Test pace slot, delivered venomous pace and bounce in an excellent opening spell.

Fellow Ashes paceman Peter Siddle snared 2-46.

Australian Associated Press