Nic Maddinson's century spree continues to lead Victoria

Nic Maddinson made it three centuries in consecutive Sheffield Shield matches as he helped leaders Victoria put up a strong total on the opening day against Tasmania in Melbourne.

Maddinson followed his 108 last week against Queensland with 136 off 197 balls, the brace of centuries coming after the 162 he scored against Western Australia in December before suffering a broken arm. He now has a tally of 445 runs at 111.25 for the season.

Jackson Bird managed to make late inroads but Victoria closed on a healthy 7 for 376.

Maddinson added 170 for the third wicket with Marcus Harris who fell just short of making back-to-back centuries when he was caught in the deep off Jarrod Freeman for 94. That followed Harris' scores of 95 and 174 against Queensland.

The pair had helped Victoria recover from early trouble at 2 for 7 after Riley Meredith caused problems with the new ball. He produced a beauty to take the off stump of Travis Dean and then five balls later had Will Pucovski caught behind for a duck with one that bounced to take the edge.

Harris and Maddinson counter-attacked as conditions eased, moving along at more than four runs an over although there were a few near misses for both batsmen, especially in the slip and gully area.

Meredith claimed his third when he bowled Cameron White but the runs kept flowing for Victoria as Maddinson and Matt Short added 69 for the fifth wicket.

Maddinson's innings ended when he was lbw, missing a pull at a back-of-a-length delivery from Gabe Bell, then Bird had Short taken at second slip - a juggling catch by Alex Doolan - followed by trapping Chris Tremain in front.