Test hopeful Mitchell Starc snared a wicket before tea on day two of NSW’s Sheffield Shield clash, but it wasn’t enough to halt Victoria’s slow march towards first innings points.

With Chris Rogers anchoring the innings at the SCG, the Bushrangers moved to 3-161 by tea in reply to the Blues’ first innings total of 293.

Former Test opener Rogers has hit 12 boundaries in his measured innings of 81 not out, regularly frustrating the star-studded Blues pace attack.

Rogers has put on partnerships of 69 with Ryan Carters (33) and an unbeaten partnership of 67 with Glenn Maxwell (28 not out) to guide Victoria safely despite bowler-friendly conditions.

The overcast conditions, which caused tea to be called ten minutes early as light rain fell, have turned what seemed a docile wicket into one with plenty of movement.

Starc had been out to impress selectors in the hope of breaking back into the Australian team for Thursday week’s Adelaide Test, but has yet to fully capitalise on his opportunities – only managing to entice David Hussey to drag onto his stumps for a modest return of 1-50 from 14 overs.

Former Test bowler Doug Bollinger (0-37) has bowled with pace but without reward while young star Josh Hazlewood remained wicketless.

Only vastly improved allrounder Moises Henriques has done serious damage – picking up wickets of Carters and Aaron Finch (8), both caught behind, to have figures of 2-13 off nine overs.