Maddinson posts third-straight century

Former Test batsman Nic Maddinson has raced to his third hundred in as many JLT Sheffield Shield matches on the opening day of Victoria's clash with Tasmania in Melbourne.

Finding himself at the crease in the match's fourth over following two early wickets, Maddinson teamed up with in-form Test opener Marcus Harris to shift the momentum of the morning session and beyond.

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The pair rattled along at more than four runs an over across 40 overs, putting on 170 before Harris fell for 94 attempting to clear the ropes and bring up his century.

Maddinson kept going however, and was rewarded with his third century - the most of anyone this Shield season - since his surprising switch to Victoria at the beginning of the summer.

One of those hundreds came in the final Shield match before the KFC Big Bash break, in which he also broke his right arm.

Following surgery, in which he had a 10cm metal pin inserted in his forearm, he recovered quickly and was rushed into the Melbourne Stars' middle order, only to produce a disappointing return of 115 runs from 10 innings.

Speaking ahead of today's Shield clash, Victoria coach Andrew McDonald said Maddinson had felt the need for a spell away from the training routine following his below-par BBL, and the break paid dividends when he made a fine 108 against Queensland in the Vics' first game back against Queensland last month.

"Some people will say after a lean spell you should be in the nets working harder, but sometimes you need a break and that can be just as good as any net session," McDonald told News Corp.

"(Maddinson) was able to identify that with us and we gave him that space, he came in nice and fresh.

"Sometimes that"s the battle in long seasons, you have to take that opportunity to get away from the game.

"It could be as simple as a day off here and there that could freshen you up."

While Maddinson believes he's benefited greatly from the Victorian program since joining it, he also suggests his personal maturing as a batsman has been a key factor in his good touch.

The 27-year-old said that despite feeling "a little bit scratchy" in his century against Queensland, he was able to soak up periods of pressure and slow-scoring better than he has previously.

"That's one thing I've improved on this year, is just riding the ebbs and flows of four-day cricket," he explained. "I felt like I had a scratchy 70 and then a good 30 before I got out.

"(I'm) a year older, probably don’t care as much about the scoreboard or how I’m going and scoring runs.

"I've done it enough times, I feel like I can recognise those moments and just accept it a little more rather than trying to push my way through it playing the same way."