Victorian-born Marcus North led a grinding West Australian fightback here today on day three of the Pura Cup cricket match against the Bushrangers at the MCG, ensuring the match would go into its last day.

The 22-year-old, born in Pakenham near Melbourne, reached his highest first-class score of 127 and helped WA to 6-278 at stumps, an overall lead of three.

The day's play finished at 7.20pm, with Brad Hogg the other unbeaten batsman on 18, partly because of two rain delays which had the players off the ground for a total of 46 minutes.

More rain is forecast for tomorrow morning, but it is expected to clear.

Victoria must gain outright points from this match to maintain a slight chance of playing in the Cup final later this month against Queensland.

It was North's second ton of the season and while it was slow - 355 minutes and 258 balls - it was precisely what his team needed.

WA followed on yesterday when it could manage only 175 in reply to the home team's first innings of 6(dec)-450.

Victorian Brad Hodge did not field today, having been hit on the hand while compiling his innings-high 131, and WA batsman Ryan Campbell needed a runner during his innings of 29.

The Warriors resumed at 2-16 and Victoria strengthened its position when Will Carr had captain Simon Katich caught behind for 11 to leave them 3-39. North shouldered arms the next ball, but survived an lbw appeal.

There was also a big appeal for a stumping when North was on 55, but otherwise his innings was chanceless.

He first shared in an 84-run stand for the fourth wicket with opener Mike Hussey, who appeared unlucky when given caught behind off Jon Moss for 61. The replay suggested the ball might have come off Hussey's thigh pad.

Rain started falling as Hussey left the field, reflecting his dark mood, and stopped the game for 31 minutes.

There was another rain delay just before the tea break and the lights were on soon after players came back on the field.

North then combined with Campbell for a stand of 55, broken when Campbell cut Carr to Moss at point.

Ian Harvey bowled Chris Rogers for 15 to leave WA 6-231, but North and Hogg survived the bleak early-evening conditions.

Carr, playing in his second Cup game, continued to impress with 3-61 and Harvey had 2-50 from 20 accurate overs.

© 2002 AAP