Test great Ricky Ponting has shown he’s still at the top of his game after posting an unbeaten 148 in Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at the MCG.

Resuming on his overnight score of 89 on day two, the 37-year-old Ponting guided the visitors to 5-397 at lunch for the loss of two wickets in the opening session.

Ponting had some luck on 141 when Test paceman Peter Siddle (1-99) dropped a hard-hit return catch.

Test cricket’s second-leading runscorer reached his 78th first-class century off 144 deliveries with a leg-glance to the boundary from the bowling of Test quick James Pattinson in the fourth over of the day.

George Bailey fell eight overs later, lbw to John Hastings for 19 at 4-358 after a 73-run partnership with Ponting.

Bailey was dropped at 15 by Andrew McDonald at third slip off the bowling of Clint McKay.

Medium-pacer Hastings (2-58 off 25 overs) struck again when Tim Paine was caught at gully for 14.

James Faulkner is two not out, with Ponting leading the charge with a series of stylish drives down the ground and powerful pull shots.

Ponting’s 212-ball innings has included 19 fours and one six in an excellent warm-up for next month’s three-Test series against South Africa starting on November 9 at the Gabba.

Tasmania had resumed on 3-315 following Alex Doolan’s 95 and an opening stand of 90 between Mark Cosgrove (56) and Test batsman Ed Cowan (42).