Victoria are well-placed to build a match-winning lead against Western Australia on day three of their Sheffield Shield clash thanks to another star turn from in-form batsman Glenn Maxwell.
Maxwell fell agonisingly short of a century at the MCG on Monday, but his innings of 96 has put the Bushrangers in the driver's seat.
Victoria will resume at 4-247 with a first-innings lead of four runs over the Warriors, who were dismissed for 243 on day one having won the toss and elected to bat.
Maxwell continued to build his case for a Test recall after he was left out of the Ashes squad.
He scored a stunning 278 against NSW last week and smashed nine fours and a six in a commanding display before Jhye Richardson trapped him LBW after tea.
"I think the pleasing thing is that I'm starting to make longer innings a bit of a habit," Maxwell said of his strong form having moved up the order this season.
"That's the great thing about batting at No.3, you get to be the person that people rely on. There's a bit more pressure to bat for long periods of time and I'm really warming to that task.
"To be one of those guys that is relied on is a nice feeling.
"I feel like I've got the technique to do it now and hopefully that will hold me in good stead for the rest of the year. It's feeling really comfortable at the moment."
Cameron White (53 not out) and Dan Christian (17 not out) will look to build the Bushrangers' lead as they attempt to score their first win of the season and climb off the bottom of the Shield table.
