Victoria were battling on Thursday to avoid the follow-on against Tasmania, despite half-centuries to Andrew McDonald and Glenn Maxwell.

After resuming day three on 4-132 in reply to Tasmania’s first-innings total of 5-439 declared at the MCG, the Bushrangers reached 7-253 at lunch.

John Hastings is nine not out and tailender Peter Siddle is yet to score.

McDonald and Matthew Wade (19) shared a 55-run partnership before McDonald hit a ball straight to Alex Doolan at mid-wicket and set off for a single, with Wade failing to make his ground at the striker’s end and was run out.

McDonald (64) and Glenn Maxwell added 57 for the sixth wicket but McDonald played a loose off-drive to cover where Ricky Ponting held the catch off the bowling of ex-Test spinner Xavier Doherty.

Maxwell reached his half-century off 66 deliveries but was out three balls later to a casual flick to fine leg as James Faulkner struck with the first over of the second new ball.

Faulkner and Australia A paceman Jackson Bird have two wickets each for Tasmania.

Victoria need to make 289 to avoid the follow-on.