Test veteran Ricky Ponting was unbeaten on 24 as Tasmania reached 2-179 at tea on day one of their Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at the MCG on Tuesday.

Mark Cosgrove (56) and Ed Cowan (42) shared an opening stand of 90 but both lost their wickets to poor shots in the middle session after taking the Tigers to lunch at 0-71.

Alex Doolan was 43 not out at tea.

Cosgrove smashed a long-hop from off-spinner Glenn Maxwell to fine leg where Peter Siddle took a diving catch in the fourth over after lunch.

Cosgrove, a former Australian one-day representative who has battled weight problems, has scored 288 Shield runs at an average of 72 this season.

The 28-year-old’s 107-ball innings included seven boundaries.

Cowan’s 196-minute stay ended with the total on 134 when the Test opener picked the wrong moment to play a rare attacking shot. The left-hander succeeded only in poking a sharp catch to David Hussey at second slip off the bowling of Clint McKay, departing after hitting four fours from 135 deliveries.

Test quicks Peter Siddle and James Pattinson are both wicket-less for the Bushrangers who won the toss and chose to bowl first in sunny conditions on a pitch with a greenish tinge.

Victoria are on top of the table with two wins to start the season.