South Australia’s Gary Putland claimed three wickets in one over to heap pressure on the home side as Victoria reached 5-138 at tea on day one of their Sheffield Shield clash at the MCG.

Skipper Cameron White was unbeaten on 29 and Peter Handscomb 27 not out after grinding out a 55-run partnership for the sixth wicket on Friday on a pitch that’s providing some assistance to the seam bowlers.

Victoria had recovered from 2-14 to reach 2-82 before suffering a dramatic middle-order collapse of 3-1 in the sixth over after lunch.

South Australia captain Johan Botha won the toss and Chadd Sayers struck in the second over to remove Ryan Carters caught behind for a duck.

Aaron Finch followed for nine at 2-18, caught at first slip by Michael Klinger off Sayers’ bowling.

David Hussey was also caught at slip by Klinger off Sayers’ bowling with his score on two, however the bowler over-stepped and was called for a no-ball.

Left-armer Putland ended the 64-run stand between Hussey (29) and Chris Rogers (39) by forcing Rogers onto the back foot as the left-handed opener edged the ball onto his stumps.

Glenn Maxwell was lbw to an inswinger for a third-ball duck and Hussey fell caught at second slip by Phil Hughes two deliveries later.

The last-placed Redbacks are without allrounder Dan Christian who has been suspended for one match for three separate incidents of poor behaviour post-dismissal.

Victoria, who are second on the table with 20 points, have named Scott Boland in place of young allrounder Alex Keath.