Victoria eye lead thanks to McDonald

Victoria 4 for 213 (McDonald 58*) trail New South Wales 225 (Forrest 58, Wright 5-37, Pattinson 3-67) by 12 runs
Scorecard

Andrew McDonald put Victoria within touching distance of first-innings points after Damien Wright's five-wicket haul kept New South Wales to 225 on a wet Melbourne day. At stumps, Victoria were 4 for 213 and needed only 13 more to take the lead, with McDonald unbeaten on 58 and Matthew Wade on 34.

There were contributions right throughout Victoria's innings with the opener Lloyd Mash (6) the only man who failed to reach double figures. The hosts needed a solid batting display with the prolific Chris Rogers at home with a virus that forced him to spend Friday night in hospital, although he may yet bat over the next two days.

Trent Copeland and Mitchell Starc accounted for Mash and Nick Jewell, and Copeland picked up his second wicket when Aaron Finch was caught for 38. The loss of David Hussey just before tea - he flashed at Josh Hazlewood and was caught behind for 29 - could have been costly but McDonald and Wade guided the Bushrangers to stumps.

It was another curtailed day and morning rain meant play didn't begin until after lunch. When it did, the Blues lost 4 for 10 and missed the chance to push on to a more threatening total as Wright (5 for 37) and Darren Pattinson, who collected 3 for 67, wrapped up the tail.