Victoria eye victory - but no Cup final

MELBOURNE, March 8 AAP - Victoria is seven wickets from an outright win over Western Australia in their Pura Cup cricket match at the MCG, but it would be an empty win.

Brad Hodge, who posted his highest first-class score today of 183, reflected the mood of his team-mates when he said: "It just feels awful not to be in the final."

New South Wales' win over Queensland today at the SCG meant the Blues secured second spot on the Cup ladder ahead of Victoria.

The Victorians arranged for the MCG scoreboard not to post updates from the SCG, so they could concentrate on their match, but the news at the breaks today was grim.

"That was pretty disheartening, really - we tried not to listen to what was going on, but obviously everyone takes a bit of notice," Hodge said.

While pleased to end a disappointing summer well, Hodge was also dirty on himself to miss a double century.

He top-scored in Victoria's 486, which gave the home side first-inning points in reply to WA's 275.

WA was 3-88 at stumps with one day left, still needing 123 to make the home side bat again.

"We owe it to ourselves to try to win," Hodge said, adding WA had beaten Victoria three times this summer.

The one bright spot for Hodge today was being able to shut up captain Darren Berry, who had chided him for having a top score of only 140.

"It's been a goal of mine for a fair while and Darren Berry also brings it up that he has a higher score than what I have - he hasn't any more," said Hodge, who counted down to 166 and then waved to Berry once that monkey was off his back.

"I was just really determined to do well because I've been under a fair bit of pressure (lately)."

Victoria batted until tea, with Berry making 49, Jon Moss chipping in with 47 and Cameron White adding 27.

Coach David Hookes had no qualms about making WA wait for its second innings.

"I don't think (WA captain) Justin Langer would have given us Jack shit if we were in Perth in the same situation on a 40-degree day, and neither should he," Hookes said.

"Our priority, regardless of what was happening north of the Murray, was to win the game....I think Chuck (Berry) did the right thing."

Victoria's form tapered after Christmas, while NSW surged, and Hookes conceded several of his pacemen "ran out of juice" in terms of fitness.

He said it would be a "fair assessment" to rate Queensland and New South Wales the best two sides in the Cup.

Hookes also wants a change to the MCG wickets next season, saying it is too difficult to gain results.

"You could argue that's the best pitch of the year...but I don't think that necessarily suits the way we play," Hookes said of the slow, even deck for this match.

"You don't want to be fighting, fighting, fighting for a late fourth day result, five times out of five."