Maxwell, Boland star for Victoria

Glenn Maxwell fired with the bat but it was two late strikes by fellow returning Australian one-day international Scott Boland that put Victoria on top in their day-night Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia in Adelaide.

Boland took two wickets in his only two overs late on Sunday to reduce the West End Redbacks to 2-42 by stumps in the pink-ball clash, in reply to a Maxwell-inspired Bushrangers' 9(dec)-325 at Adelaide Oval.

Maxwell top scored with 79 before the ladder-leading Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers declared their first innings in the top of the table Shield match.

Maxwell thrashed eight fours and a six in his 78-ball knock before he was bowled by Joe Mennie (3-73).

It was a welcome return to form for the allrounder.

He made just 0, 6 and 0 in the one-day series in New Zealand which ended on Monday and scored three and another duck in two Twenty20 games against India last month.

Maxwell will only be available for the one Shield match for Victoria at Adelaide Oval before joining the Australia T20 squad in South Africa at the end of the month.

The Shield clash also gives him a chance to push his chances for selection for Australia's Test series against Sri Lanka later this year.

Maxwell defied expectations of another lively deck similar to the one used for the pink ball Test against New Zealand at Adelaide Oval to finally hit his straps.

He was back to his freewheeling best, at one stage thrashing consecutive fours off returning Australian one-day leg-spinner Adam Zampa (1-70).

Maxwell helped steady the innings after Victoria lost 2-4 after the tea break when Travis Dean (60) was bowled by Mennie with the first ball of the second over of the middle session.

Zampa had hoped to boost a Redbacks attack reeling from the loss of ODI quick Kane Richardson (back) who was ruled out for the rest of the summer.

Richardson suffered back soreness during Australia's one-day series in New Zealand and scans in Melbourne later revealed a bone stress injury.

Redbacks medical staff said Richardson required an indefinite break, ruling him out of their remaining four first-class matches.

South Australia were already without spearhead Chadd Sayers, who is part of Australia's touring squad in New Zealand.

Boland (2-5) ensured Victoria took day one honours when he struck in consecutive overs as South Australia lost 2-1, including opener Mark Cosgrove for 32.