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Match Report:

Scorecard

Quicks keep Vics well on top of Tigers

Boland and Fekete claim three wickets apiece on day two while in-form Wade plays lone hand for Tassie

Only a marvellous counter-attacking innings from Matthew Wade saved Tasmania from complete disaster against Sheffield Shield leaders Victoria at the Junction Oval on Wednesday.

Tasmania ended day two at 8-234, still 220 runs in arrears of Victoria's hefty first innings' 454.

Wade played a virtual lone hand as wickets fell at regular intervals, with his 86 including 12 boundaries and a six and coming from 128 balls.

In-form Wade whacks entertaining 86

It was an eighth half century of the season for Wade, who trails only Victoria's Marcus Harris on this season's Shield run-scorers list, as the 31-year-old seeks a return to the Test side for the upcoming Ashes series.

The wicketkeeper-batsman, who is captaining the side in the absence of the rested Tim Paine, was finally out caught behind off the bowling of Chris Tremain.

Wade's fast scoring contrasted with his teammates who mostly struggled at almost half his run rate.

Paceman Andrew Fekete, who was named in the side ahead of Test veteran Peter Siddle, made early inroads to eventually return with figures of 3-71, while Scott Boland collected 3-53.

Wade's innings was the only highlight for Tasmania on day two after the Tigers were again outplayed by the Shield frontrunners.

Resuming at 7-376, Victoria wicketkeeper Seb Gotch maintained the free-scoring of day one as the home side eased past 400.

Gotch falls short of Shield ton

Gotch struck 11 fours and a six during a 146-ball knock, but was the last batsman dismissed just short of his maiden first class century.

The Shield's leading wicket-taker Jackson Bird (3-85), along with Riley Meredith (4-86), were the key contributors with the ball for Tasmania.

Tasmania likely need to win the match if they are to stay in touch with second-placed NSW and third-placed Western Australia ahead of the final two rounds.

Victoria XI: Marcus Harris, Travis Dean, Will Pucovski, Nic Maddinson, Cameron White, Matt Short, Seb Gotch, Chris Tremain, Scott Boland, Jon Holland, Andrew Fekete

Tasmania XI: Jordan Silk, Alex Doolan, Charlie Wakim, Matthew Wade, Jake Doran, Ben McDermott, Jarrod Freeman, Sam Rainbird, Jackson Bird, Gabe Bell, Riley Meredith