Chris Rogers admits that just 48 hours before the Sheffield Shield final he couldn't run and was facing the prospect of sitting out Victoria's odds-on chance at winning the major prize.
But on day three of the decider against Western Australia, the 37 year-old Test batsman notched up a century, helping the Bushrangers to 3-288 at stumps.
"Two days before the game I'd practically ruled myself out of it - I couldn't even run," Rogers said after play on Monday.
"Somehow the next day it came good and I was able to run with a bit of pain and then the morning of the game I was almost pain free so I've been pretty lucky."
Rogers strained his glute during Victoria's previous Shield match against Tasmania, forcing him to limp from the ground and causing ongoing problems.
But there were no signs of soreness as he added 112 to Victoria's total, his luck running out late on Monday morning when he was trapped lbw trying to sweep Ashton Agar (1-78).
It was a breakthrough wicket for the underdog Warriors and broke a 185-run partnership with Rob Quiney (69), who was gone five overs later, caught off a Nathan Coulter-Nile (1-67) delivery.
With both openers dismissed, WA tried to get some traction against the competition favourites, but a fielding mistake just after lunch proved costly.
Marcus Stoinis (43 not out) was handed a lifeline when he hit a full-length Andrew Tye (0-32) delivery to short mid-wicket.
It sat up perfectly but was dropped by Marcus Harris.
As rain closed in on Bellerive Oval, leading to an early stumps, Stoinis remained unbeaten, supported by fellow not-out batsman Peter Handscomb (16 not out).
Victoria trail by 133 runs after WA posted a first innings total of 421.
"We've fought pretty hard and we're in a pretty good position," Rogers said at the end of day three.
"It's just about us batting for as long as we can."
The lost time is bad news for WA who need an outright victory in the five-day decider to claim the Shield, while Victoria's points tally means they can win the competition with a draw.
Simon Mackin (1-40), who took the lbw wicket of David Hussey (33) on Monday, said his team must be patient as the Victoria batsmen set a leisurely pace.
"We expected that, they're obviously just going to sit on us ... we've got to try and make it happen but we can't push too hard," Mackin said.
Play is scheduled to resume on Tuesday at 10am (AEDT) with fine conditions forecast for Hobart.
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