Hussey inflicts more pain on struggling Tasmania

Tasmania 168 & 0 for 10 trail Victoria 399 (Hussey 103, Klinger 60, McDonald 57, Quiney 55) by 221 runs
Scorecard

David Hussey's second Pura Cup century of the season gave Victoria a chance of an innings victory against Tasmania, who need another 221 runs to make the Bushrangers bat again. Victoria built the commanding lead in reaching 399 and Tasmania were 0 for 10 when bad light caused an early finish.

Hussey often lifts his output when he is the stand-in captain and the trend continued with his blistering 103 from 115 balls. His half-century came with a six over long-on and he reached triple figures with a cover-driven boundary, one of 16 fours in his innings.

Only Simon Katich has more Pura Cup runs this summer than Hussey, who built a 163-run stand with Michael Klinger (60). Ben Hilfenhaus had them both caught in the slips in the first over with the second new ball, but Andrew McDonald kept Victoria moving with 57.

Victoria's debutant Aiden Blizzard chipped in with 30 in a useful partnership with McDonald, who was caught off Jason Krejza late in the day. Krejza did what he could to drag Tasmania back into the contest and finished with 3 for 82 while Brett Geeves chipped in with 3 for 73 as he closed out the innings, taking wickets from the final two balls.

Tasmania's title defence has never quite picked up speed and they have now failed to secure first-innings points in any of their six matches this summer. Their only victory for the season came when a Ricky Ponting century helped them overcome a generous target from South Australia at Bellerive Oval.