Despite a middle-order collapse, last-placed South Australia were nine runs shy of claiming first-innings points by lunch on day three of their Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at the MCG.

South Australia reached 5-338 after the morning session on Sunday in reply to Victoria’s 346.

Travis Head was unbeaten on 11 and Tim Ludeman on 15.

A remarkable spell of bowling with the second new ball from John Hastings — who claimed 3-0 in five deliveries — rocked South Australia back on their heels after the visitors had been cruising at 2-306.

The Australia A representative has taken 21 wickets in five Shield matches this season, as well as hitting 80 off 98 balls in Victoria’s first innings against South Australia.

Hastings had the figures of 4-53 from 23 overs.

The Redbacks resumed with Phil Hughes 127 not out, Callum Ferguson on 48 and the total on 2-244.

The pair added 189 for the third wicket but fell in consecutive overs to Hastings.

Victoria took the new ball after 88 overs and Hastings broke through with the fifth delivery as Ferguson (73) was caught at first slip at 3-306.

Hastings struck again at the start of his next over as Hughes on 158 misjudged an inswinger and was trapped lbw after offering no shot.

New batsman Johan Botha spooned a catch to gully for a second-ball duck.

The 17-Test opener Hughes, who lost his spot in the national side 11 months ago, has raced to the top of the Shield runscoring table with 510 runs at 56.66 while Ferguson is second on 463 at 42.09.

Hughes batted for four minutes short of six hours and struck 19 boundaries in a tremendous display to keep his name in front of Test selectors.