Victoria 7 for 345 (Handscomb 123*, Dean 75, Winter 3-81) lead South Australia 244 (Cooper 118, Lehmann 56, Boland 7-54) by 101 runs
Peter Handscomb has made a statement to Australia’s selectors with a patient and unbeaten century to put Victoria in control against South Australia at the MCG.
Handscomb, who lost his Test place on Australia’s tour of the UAE, capitalised on a superb 132-run opening stand from Travis Dean and Marcus Harris to grind out 123 from 215 balls and give Victoria a 101-run lead with two days remaining.
He struck 15 fours in his 14th first-class century which he brought up with lovely cover-drive off Cameron Valente.
Victoria at one stage looked set to pile up a huge score on the back of the excellent opening stand. But Nick Winter caused carnage in the middle of the morning session. He found the edge of Harris before trapping Dean in front. Winter then had Cameron White caught behind for a duck two balls later to put Victoria under pressure.
Handscomb and Matthew Short steadied for over 18 overs but Victoria again slumped to 5 for 193, losing both Short and wicketkeeper Seb Gotch in quick succession before Handscomb found solid allies in James Pattinson and Peter Siddle. Pattinson scored 32 after being promoted to No. 7 while Siddle contributed 13 not out from 72 deliveries in an unbeaten 55-run stand with Handscomb to take the home side through to stumps.
However, Victoria’s charge to a third straight win to start the season may be hindered by some wet weather that is due in Melbourne on day three.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo