An unbeaten Tim Paine half-century helped Tasmania narrowly avoid the follow-on as they struggled in the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at Bellerive.

The Bushrangers claimed first innings points after dismissing the home team for 250 late on day three, a lead of 133.

It could have been worse for the Tigers, who were 7-165 but Paine’s 66 not out helped shepherd the tail past the 233 they needed to avoid being sent back in.

Vics spinner Fawad Ahmed finished with 3-76 while Dan Christian (2-22) and Clint McKay (2-36) claimed two scalps each.

Paine, who has been steady in his long return from a painful finger injury, returned to some of the form that earned him four Tests for Australia.

The 28-year-old put on 44 with No.10 Andrew Fekete and 19 with No.11 Adam Maher to give the unbeaten Shield champs a chance of avoiding an outright defeat.

Earlier, Ashes squad members George Bailey and James Faulkner got limited batting practice ahead of the series opener against England beginning next week.

Tigers captain Bailey, who will make his Test debut, made 37 and allrounder Faulkner just 14.

The Australian Twenty20 skipper, who forced his way into the Test squad with a massive one-day series in India, would have been hoping for more after being involved in a disastrous runout with Alex Doolan.

Bailey left his teammate stranded after calling a quick single on the final ball before lunch, the in-form Doolan sent on his way by a Glenn Maxwell direct hit for 41.

The Bushrangers were all out for 383 on Friday morning, losing 4-44 as they chased quick runs in an attempt to force a result to the rain-disrupted match.