South Australia have steadied to be 2-102 at stumps on day two of their Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria, but the Redbacks still have a mountain to climb with a Nic Maddinson double-century propelling the home side to 6(dec)-616.
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A masterful innings of 224 to Maddinson and tons to Marcus Harris and Will Pucovski helped to put the reigning champions in charge of their season-opening encounter at Junction Oval.
After resuming at 1-362, the Vics cruised to 3-489 at lunch before skipper Peter Handscomb called Sam Harper (13no) and James Pattinson (1no) in 40 minutes before the tea break.
The Redbacks' first innings was off to a disastrous start when opener Jake Weatherald was dismissed by Pattinson with the first ball of the innings, caught in the slips by Glenn Maxwell.
SA were reeling when Jake Lehmann (8) departed cheaply with the score 2-23, but opener Henry Hunt (62no) showed impressive poise to score a half-century in his first-class debut, with Travis Head with him on 27.
Victoria's openers and their young No.3 gave national selectors plenty to think about with impressive knocks after Handscomb won the toss.
Having notched his fourth hundred in six Shield matches on Thursday, Maddinson recorded his maiden first-class double-ton in Friday's morning session.
The 27-year-old departed for a career-high 224, caught behind off the bowling of Kane Richardson, his innings including 23 fours and five sixes.
Maddinson shared a 220-run opening partnership with Harris, who gave his chances of holding onto a Test opening spot a shot in the arm with a well-made 116.
After a lean Ashes series in which he made just 58 runs from six innings, Harris returned to form in an innings that included nine fours and four sixes.
Pucovski, 21, enhanced his reputation as a Test batsman in-waiting with a patient 123, including 10 fours, before he was run out.
Aaron Finch blasted six fours and four sixes in a quickfire 57 from 44 balls, with Handscomb (30) and Maxwell (43) falling as the Vics looked for quick runs ahead of a declaration.
Victoria have a slight injury concern after Finch suffered a back spasm while batting and rested while his teammates took to the field.
The Redbacks' attack, minus injured trio Joe Mennie, Chadd Sayers and Daniel Worrall, struggled mightily with little help from a docile wicket.
Nick Winter was the pick of the bowlers with 1-86 from 28 overs, including three maidens.
The Vic quicks didn't have the same issues with the pitch, Chris Tremain impressing with 1-14 from 10 overs, with five maidens.
Australian Associated Press
