Debutant the shining light for Vics as SA build big lead

20-year-old Victoria debutant Harry Hoekstra has claimed four wickets on Sheffield Shield debut, but three South Australia stalwarts have given the visitors a strong first innings lead at Junction Oval.

Ben Manenti (92 not out), Jake Lehmann (90) and Henry Hunt (71) lifted SA to 6-352 at stumps on day two, leading the Vics by 108 runs.

Hoekstra (4-57), who remarkably top-scored for Victoria at No.9 and dismissed former Test opener Jake Weatherald during the first day's play, took key wickets throughout the day to help the hosts stay in the game.

Lehmann's partnerships with SA opener Hunt (83 runs) and skipper Manenti (98 runs) ensured the reigning champions surpassed the Vics' 244, making the most of favourable batting conditions in Melbourne.

The left-hand batter was closing in on a 19th first-class century, but was the last of Hoekstra's three scalps on the second day's play.

An unbeaten 89-run seventh-wicket stand between Manenti and Noah McFadyen (46 not out), who picked up two wickets yesterday on his first-class debut, gave South Australia a significant advantage in the final session.

Having already made his highest first-class score today, Manenti will be aiming for a maiden Shield hundred when play continues tomorrow.

SA started day two at 1-4 having not only lost Weatherald from their first innings, but for the rest of the match.

The former Test opener suffered delayed onset concussion symptoms last night after he fell into the fence while trying to save a boundary yesterday.

Matthew Gilkes was named as Weatherald's concussion substitute once his medical diagnosis was confirmed prior to play resuming.

Hoekstra claimed his second Shield scalp when he removed Mackenzie Harvey (9) in the fourth over of the morning.

Jason Sangha (32) and Hunt dug in during the first hour, scoring just 22 runs in 15 overs.

Having seen off spells from Hoekstra, Fergus O'Neill (0-51) and Sam Elliott (0-66), they found their groove after drinks until a bowling change altered Victoria's fortunes as David Moody (2-50) broke a 52-run partnership.

The right-arm quick thought he'd found the edge of Sangha's bat with his first ball, but that mattered little when he had SA's batter strangled down the legside with his second delivery.

Lehmann and Hunt took SA to the main break at 3-88 and their stand started to flourish post-lunch.

Two balls after Hunt brought up his 16th first-class fifty off 156 balls, Lehmann was dropped by gully fielder Ollie Peake in one of two crucial moments in the middle session.

Victoria turned to the spin of Doug Warren (0-90) and Matt Short (0-34) for a breakthrough, but it was once again Moody who stood tall to bowl Hunt.

Hoekstra picked up his third victim in his first over of a new spell when SA wicketkeeper Harry Nielsen (7) chopped on.

Peake had another chance to dismiss Lehmann on 43, missing a run out chance from cover as South Australia reached tea at 5-209.

Alongside Manenti, the experienced duo pushed SA towards the second new ball.

Manenti took on a below-par O'Neill with the new rock, hitting the seasoned Shield performer for consecutive boundaries to lift his state beyond the Vics' score.

South Australia's leader became the third player from his side to make a half-century, before Lehmann, like Sangha, was strangled down the legside giving Hoekstra his fourth wicket.

McFadyen then joined Manenti in the middle, with the pair extending their state's lead over Victoria.