Cameron White claimed three late wickets as Victoria put Sheffield Shield pacesetter Queensland under enormous pressure on day two of their clash at the MCG.
Victoria resumed on 4 for 340 and declared after lunch on 7 for 498 led by David Hussey's 130.
The unbeaten Bulls reached 5 for 153 at stumps on Saturday night, with Joe Burns unbeaten on 58 and Chris Hartley 2 not out.
Jayde Herrick bowled with impressive pace and bounce on a placid pitch to grab 2 for 66 from 20 overs, lifting his season's tally to 28 at the top of the Shield wicket-taking list.
With Test selector Rod Marsh looking on, former quarry worker Herrick removed openers Ryan Broad (19) and Wade Townsend (26) either side of the tea break.
White dismissed Peter Forrest (37) caught at short leg and Chris Lynn (0) bowled by a wrong 'un in successive overs as the Bulls slumped to 4 for 124.
Sixteen runs later White had Nathan Reardon caught at slip for nine. The former Test leg spinner claimed 3 for 27 off 12 overs.
Victoria lost the wickets of Hussey, Andrew McDonald (76) and Glenn Maxwell (65 off 67 balls) before declaring.
Nathan Reardon (2 for 99) and Matthew Gale (2 for 122) were Queensland's leading wicket-takers.
The Bulls struggled without Test squad member Ben Cutting who was restricted to only nine overs because of a side strain.
Queensland team physio Martin Love says Cutting is likely to be out for at least four weeks.
"He basically stiffened up from the flight (from Brisbane to Melbourne on Thursday after training with the Test squad)," Love said.
"I'd be very surprised if he's fit for the Hobart Test (starting on December 9).
"Side strains are normally anything from four to eight weeks."
Scans on Saturday confirmed a side strain but Love says Queensland will know more in the next few days regarding the severity of the injury.
Meanwhile, Herrick says he is giving no thought to how his success this season might push his name under the eyes of Test selectors.
"With the figures and people talking and stuff like that, I've put my hand up or got a lot closer than what I was at the start of the season," said Herrick, who has played only 10 first-class matches.
"I'm not getting ahead of myself.
"My aim this year is to play as many four-day games as I can and do my job and help the team and try to get us to the final."
Herrick says the shoulder injury to John Hastings has opened a door at state level.
"I've taken my chances and now with bowlers going down (for Australia), as long as you keep putting your hand up you're always a chance," the 26-year-old said.
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, melbourne-3000, brisbane-4000 First posted December 03, 2011 20:31:31
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