Test great Ricky Ponting scored a superb and unbeaten 162 in Tasmania’s 5(dec)-439 in their Sheffield Shield game against Victoria at the MCG.
At tea on the second day the home side had reached 1-57 from 17 overs.
Victoria’s Matthew Wade, a strong contender for a place in the Test side to play South Africa in Brisbane on November 9, suffered a blow to the thumb while wicketkeeping and had on-field treatment from the team’s physio but played on.
A team spokesman said Wade had been cleared of any major damage.
Tasmania had resumed on Tuesday’s score of 3-315 with the 37-year-old Ponting on 89.
In his first Shield game at the MCG since November 2006, Ponting warmed up for next month’s three-Test series by hitting 20 boundaries and one six in a stellar display.
Ponting faced 242 balls and his innings lasted eight minutes shy of six hours.
Medium-pacer John Hastings (2-58 off 25 overs) was Victoria’s only multiple wicket-taker after removing skipper George Bailey (19) and Tim Paine (14) in the opening session on Wednesday.
Ponting reached his 78th first-class century off 144 deliveries.
Test cricket’s second-leading run-scorer had some luck on 141 when Test paceman Peter Siddle (1-99) dropped a hard-hit return catch.
Test quick James Pattinson (0-89) failed to take a wicket after Victoria had chosen to bowl first.
Tasmania declared 30 minutes after the lunch interval and tightened their grip on the game when Jackson Bird dismissed Rob Quiney caught behind for five.
Victoria’s Chris Rogers is 23 not out with Cameron White on 22.