Pucovski makes smooth first-class return for Vics

After a year out, Victoria batsman Will Pucovski has made a smooth return to first-class action against Western Australia in their Marsh Sheffield Shield game.

Pucovski made 39 but, like his team, blew a solid start as the Victorians were all out for 256 on day one at the WACA Ground in Perth.

WA are 1-29 at stumps with fringe Test paceman Scott Boland bowling Sam Whiteman for five.

Pucovski, the talented right-hander curtailed by concussion and mental health issues, last played first-class cricket in a Shield game in mid-October last year.

On return, the 25-year-old who played one Test in January 2021 was composed during a 68-ball knock.

But after hitting four fours and appearing well-settled, Pucovski's return ended when bowled, trying to flick an Aaron Hardie (3-28) delivery through the leg side.

Pucovski's opening partner Travis Dean top-scored with 87, the pair putting on a 108-run stand.

But from that solid platform, the visitors couldn't cash in.

Hardie dismissed Campbell Kellaway for a duck, the left-hander nicking a leg-side delivery to the wicketkeeper.

Dean, who struck 16 fours from 158 balls, then chopped on to his stumps to give WA's debutant Liam Haskett (1-59) a maiden first-class wicket.

Victoria captain Peter Handscomb (31) and Will Sutherland (one) were out in the space of five balls.

And Jonathon Merlo (21) followed, caught waist-high by Cameron Bancroft at second slip from a Cameron Gannon (2-58) leg-cutter.

Sam Harper (28) and Fergus O'Neill (20) offered some resistance but the rest of the tail folded, with the last six wickets falling for 58 runs.

WA's Hardie was a handful throughout his 16 overs, his three-wicket return matched by off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli (3-29).