Hussey gives Victoria first-innings lead

New South Wales 287 and 1 for 18 trail Victoria 326 (Hussey 120, White 78) by 21 runs
Scorecard

David Hussey's second century of the season ensured Victoria gained first-innings points on the second day of their Pura Cup match against New South Wales at the MCG. Victoria made 326 in reply to NSW's 287, with the Blues on 1 for 18 in their second innings at stumps - still trailing by 21 runs - with Phil Jacques the man out, caught behind off Allan Wise for 13.

Hussey scored a career-best 120 to guide Victoria out of bother into a handy lead in a topsy-turvy match that is set to go right down to the wire. Much as NSW had done yesterday, Victoria crashed to 5 for 76 before lunch and, but such was Hussey's effectiveness, they held a handy lead when he was eighth man out.

Hussey and Cameron White, Victoria's captain, put on 153 to give them the initiative in the middle session after a wicket and a brilliant catch from Brett Lee fired up the NSW in the first session. But when Lee had White caught in the slips for 78 on the stroke of tea, it again looked like Victoria had let slip an advantage after allowing the NSW tail to bat on too long yesterday.

But Hussey found support from wicketkeeper Peter Roach (46) and the pair picked off the deficit with a minimum of fuss. Hussey also showed few nerves approaching his century, hitting a six and two fours to breeze into the nineties and then bringing up three figures with a slashed late cut.

Lee finished with 3 for 83 off 25 overs and had an eventful day after smashing an unbeaten 74 yesterday. He saw off Victoria's opener Matthew Elliott (15) early and then took a miraculous, one-handed catch at fine leg to dismiss Jason Arnberger (21) off Stuart Clark's bowling with the ball headed for six.

Dominic Thornely also chimed in with two wickets before lunch to have Victoria's innings in tatters before Hussey and White's aggressive counter-assault.