Victoria has a strong chance of securing a crucial six points from the Sheffield Shield match against Queensland at the MCG on Thursday.
The Bushrangers snared four of the 10 wickets they needed in the morning session, reducing the Bulls to 4-149 at lunch, still 65 runs behind. Wicketkeeper Chris Hartley was unbeaten on 27 and first-gamer Dominic Michael was on 18 not out.
Queensland had resumed this morning at 0-60 but lost 3-3 in a mid-morning collapse inspired by Victoria’s new leg-spinner, the Pakistani immigrant Fawad Ahmed. The 33-year-old Ahmed, who previously played 10 first class matches in his native Pakistan, removed Greg Moller (43) and Peter Forrest (0) in the same over in an impressive spell to claim 2-45.
He also took two wickets in the first innings, showing why there has been speculation that he could become a Test bowler as soon as he is granted citizenship. Ahmed has played cricket in Melbourne since the 2009-10 season, having fled Pakistan under death threats from terrorist groups.
Fast bowlers Clint McKay (1-37) and Scott Boland (1-8) also extracted wickets as the Bushrangers surged into a position for a win that would put them a game clear at the top of the Sheffield Shield table with two matches remaining.
Victoria came into this match equal-first with Queensland on points, but will take at least two points for a first-innings win away from Thursday’s play.