Shield leaders Victoria have dug themselves out of a hole to claim the ascendancy at the close of play on day two against Tasmania at the MCG.
The Tigers are 3-62 in their second dig, boasting a lead of just 32, after the Bushrangers recovered from a poor start to reach 271.
Dan Christian saved the day for Victoria, having entered the fray as they teetered at 4-89. He played without fear to crack 95 including five sixes.
Christian received strong support from Peter Handscomb who made 50, while James Pattinson chipped in with a timely 30.
Veteran batsman Cameron White endured a sour return to Victoria's ranks, falling for a first-ball duck in his maiden Shield outing of the session.
Debutant Ian Holland, only called into the match on Wednesday evening following Marcus Stoinis's Australian one-day squad call-up, survived Andrew Fekete's hat-trick ball but eventually fell for a gritty 24.
The wickets were shared among Tasmania's seam trio with Sam Rainbird (4-66) collecting the best figures, while Fekete (3-43) and Test squad inclusion Jackson Bird (2-45) also chipped in with key wickets.
Tasmania faced an awkward final session with the bat, losing their top three including first innings century-maker Beau Webster.
James Pattinson bowled with pace to take 1-27, while fellow Test paceman Peter Siddle and Chris Tremain also claimed a wicket apiece to leave the Tigers on the back foot heading into day three.
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