Former Test opener Phil Hughes jumped to the top of the Sheffield Shield runscoring table with an unbeaten 127 for South Australia on day two of the clash with Victoria.
The Redbacks reached 2-244 at stumps at the MCG on Saturday in reply to Victoria’s first innings of 346 as the visitors chipped away at the Bushrangers’ formidable total on a pitch that was a little two-paced.
Hughes hit 18 fours from 197 deliveries and was in superb touch through the cover region, sharing an unbroken partnership of 127 with fellow Test hopeful Callum Ferguson (48 not out).
Ex-NSW star Hughes has scored 479 runs in five matches for his new team this season.
The 23-year-old ripped off his helmet and waved his bat to the dressing room to celebrate his first Shield hundred for the Redbacks, which came off 157 balls.
Hughes was dropped from the Test side in December 2011 but has been a consistent runscorer for the Redbacks this summer to keep his name in front of national selectors.
Ferguson has also scored over 400 runs this season.
Hughes added 80 for South Australia’s first wicket with Sam Raphael (38) and Michael Klinger (18) fell at 2-117 in the third over after tea.
Earlier, Victoria posted a total of 346 thanks to some big hitting from No.8 John Hastings after resuming on 6-259.
Skipper Cameron White top-scored with 88, losing his wicket to Gary Putland (7-64) from the first delivery of the day.
Hastings, who had been on 14 overnight, smashed 80 off 98 balls including 11 fours and two sixes.
Left-arm swing bowler Putland sent down 36 overs, constantly beating the bat and claiming a five-wicket haul for the fifth time in just 15 first-class games.
The 26-year-old has taken 14 wickets at 20.85 in three Shield appearances this season.