Wily Wade troubles Tasmania

Tasmania 235 and 4 for 129 trail Victoria 408 (Wade 95, Hodge 93, McDonald 70, Hussey 52, Krejza 4-91) by 44 runs
Scorecard

Two former Tasmania players now with Victoria put their old state in a tricky situation on the third day at the MCG. Tasmania will enter the final day 44 behind, with four wickets down after Matthew Wade made 95 and Gerard Denton contributed with the bat, and then with two wickets.

The batsmen's efforts drove Victoria to 408 and a lead of 173 before Denton and Shane Harwood joined forces, each grabbing two victims to leave Tasmania in some difficulty heading into Monday. Dan Marsh was on 31 at the close with Luke Butterworth on 17 as they began to rebuild for the Tigers, who reached 4 for 129.

It was only the third Pura Cup match for Wade, 19, but he batted with composure and already he is looking a fine investment for Victoria, who signed him in the off-season, as he felt his chances of wicketkeeping at Tasmania were limited. Wade combined with Denton (37) for a 96-run eighth-wicket stand that frustrated the Tigers, who had let both Wade and Denton leave for the mainland.

Another decision paid off handsomely for the home side: using Andrew McDonald as a specialist batsman. He can't yet bowl while he recovers from shoulder surgery, but his 70 justified his inclusion.

Jason Krejza was Tasmania's most successful bowler, with his offspinners reaping 4 for 91. Ben Hilfenhaus, having been released from the Test squad, was also able to contribute with two.

Then it was the turn of the Victoria bowlers, and they did well to work their way through the top order, dismissing all four in the 40 overs available before stumps. Travis Birt reached 51 before Harwood trapped him in front, Michael Dighton also fell lbw early (1 for 2), George Bailey made a duck and Michael Di Venuto was caught for 20.