Plant digs in for solid South Australia reply

South Australia 1 for 110 (Plant 48*) trail Victoria 6 for 473 dec (Jewell 164, Hodge 104, Rogers 63, McDonald 60, Rofe 3-80) by 363 runs
Scorecard

	Shaun Tait finished with 2 for 102 in his first outing at first-class level since January © Getty Images Enlarge

South Australia's top order made a slow and steady start after Andrew McDonald guided Victoria to a hefty first-innings total of 6 for 473. At the close, South Australia had chipped away at the deficit and had 1 for 110 with Tom Plant, in his first state game for 18 months, on 48 and Michael Klinger on 31.

On a flat pitch offering little for the fast bowlers, Victoria resumed on 2 for 352 but could their middle order could not dominate to quite the extent the top three had on the first day. Shaun Tait picked up a couple of first-class wickets, including David Hussey for 8, that will boost his confidence as he continues his return.

Brad Hodge added four to his overnight total before he was out for 104 to become Paul Rofe's third victim. However, Victoria's strong platform allowed McDonald (60) and Rob Quiney, who finished unbeaten on 45, to nudge the score in the 500-direction before the declaration came.

But South Australia found batting almost as easy as Victoria. The Bushrangers had no luck trying to uproot Plant, who occupied the crease for nearly four hours for his 48. Klinger was also looming as a threat in his first Sheffield Shield match against his former state.