Gilmour, Herrick seal first-innings lead for Victoria

Daniel Harris and Aiden Blizzard struck half-centuries but the rest of the South Australia line-up flattered to deceive in Melbourne, allowing Victoria to gain an 85-run first-innings lead.

Steve Gilmour and Jayde Herrick, who had tormented the visitors with a stubborn eleventh-wicket stand on the first evening could add only three more runs on the second morning. Ben Edmondson dismissed Gilmour caught behind as Victoria closed at 345.

Peter Siddle, vying for a call-up to the Australian World Cup side in the injured Michael Hussey's place, struck early to send James Smith back. Harris and Cameron Borgas made light of the loss and took charge of things with a 98-run stand, before Gilmour and Herrick returned to torment South Australia. Gilmour removed both batsmen within the space of 21 runs, reviving Victoria's hopes of getting a lead. Tom Moffat was then consumed by spinner John Holland, leaving South Australia in need of a revival at 188 for 4.

Blizzard was up to the task, scoring a cautious 59, before Gilmour sent him back. Thereafter Herrick took centre-stage, picking three wickets including the key scalps of Daniel Christian and GrahamManou as the innings floundered. South Australia lost their bottom half for just 10 runs, to put Victoria on top. By stumps, they extended their lead to 102 without losing any of their second-innings wickets.