Flourishing twin centuries put Victoria in control of their Sheffield Shield match as NSW reached 2-106 at stumps on day three at the MCG.

The Bushrangers boasted a 141-run lead when they declared at tea on Sunday, Dan Christian and Peter Handscomb both posting tons in an unbeaten 206-run stand.

The visitors were reasonably resolute in response to the hosts’ first-innings total of 5(dec)-507, but openers Nick Larkin and Ryan Carters both departed after making starts.

Larkin (25) had his stumps disturbed by Josh Hastings in the 27th over, while Ryan Carters (58) was out edging to Marcus Stoinis in the penultimate over of the day.

Scott Henry will start the final day on 18, while nightwatchman Will Somerville will resume on one with their team trailing by 35 runs.

The pair will aim to emulate the feats of Christian (105no) and Handscomb (108no), who showed what is possible against a tired attack on the drop-in deck.

It was Christian’s first Shield century since joining Victoria last year, while Handscomb celebrated his first ton at the MCG.

Handscomb was on 12 when Christian trotted to the middle following David Hussey’s dismissal early in the morning session.

Blues paceman Gurinder Sandhu had just made a nasty first impression with the second new ball, removing Hussey for 129 with a short delivery that reared off the pitch.

With NSW holding a 65-run lead, the match was relatively well poised.

Christian put paid to that, making the most of lives on 18, 76 and 89 in a dominant display of power batting.

The allrounder smacked six sixes.

The most eye-catching was a mighty effort off Josh Lalor in the 92nd over that sailed over the left-armer’s head and beyond the sightscreen.

NSW’s debutant spinners Somerville and Patrick Jackson were taken for a total of 195 runs from their combined 38 wicket-less overs.