Handscomb's bold declaration sets up tense final day

An inspired declaration from Victorian skipper Peter Handscomb and a top order collapse by Tasmania has set up a thrilling final day in their crucial Sheffield Shield clash at the Junction Oval.

Young off-spinner Todd Murphy (3-43) and emerging seamer Mitch Perry (2-18) ripped through the Tigers top order after the hosts declared 21 runs behind just after lunch on day three.

Tasmania went to stumps 191 runs in front with three second innings wickets remaining after Tom Andrews pushed the lead towards 200 in the final hour and a half of play with a counter-attacking 40 (49) that included eight boundaries.

Jordan Silk was unbeaten on 22 after defying the Victoria attack for 96 balls during the final session with Tasmania 7-170 at the close of play.

With both sides desperately needing a result to stay in touch of the Marsh Sheffield Shield top two, it sets up and intriguing final day on Friday where the hosts face a tricky chase of around 200 on a wearing eighth-day pitch that was also used during the previous four-day clash against Queensland.

Silk was full of praise for Andrews' knock after stumps that put pressure back on the Victorian bowlers after early wickets.

"It's an innings we'd be in a lot worse place without so super 40 to get us up to that 200-run lead, which is what we were hoping to do when they declared behind, so all in all, we're in a good spot," he said.

"Anytime you go into day four of a Shield game with all three results in play is good signs and full credit probably goes to the curating staff.

"We had to scrap for a little bit (today) for the first few times in this game, so delicately poised … but we're still really positive that our change room is the one to be in.

"Hopefully we're able to scrape a few more runs tomorrow … if we're able to scrape to 230-plus I'm still pretty upbeat about being in our rooms."

Resuming day three 4-210 and trailing the Tigers first innings 355 by 145 runs, opener Travis Dean – who brought up his century in the penultimate over of the previous evening – signalled Victoria's intent early with three boundaries in the in the first handful of overs.

Wicketkeeper Sam Harper (93) also went on the attack, launching debutant Ben Manenti over his head for six before crashing him through point for four two balls later.

The assault continued in the off-spinner's next over with Harper delicately reverse lapping him to the third-man boundary and then smashing another six over long off as the pair added almost 100 runs during the first session.

But disaster struck for the 25-year-old keeper-batter just prior to lunch when he was trapped in front by left-arm orthodox Tom Andrews seven runs short of what would have been his second first-class century.

His dismissal ended an 187-run fifth wicket stand between him and Dean, but it was a welcome return to form for Harper whose previous best score this summer was 57 with the Melbourne Renegades against the Hobart Hurricanes during the KFC BBL.

Dean's superb knock also came to an end four overs and 13 runs later when he was bowled for 146 (302) after lunch by a searing delivery from Andrews (2-53) that turned past the bat and clipped the top of off stump.

The 30-year-old right-hander, who broke a run of three single figure scores with his second century of the season, and who has been in and out of the side when Marcus Harris and Will Pucovski were available, said he was pleased to repay the trust the playing group, coaches and selectors have in him.

"I've been fortunate every time there's been a spot available, I've been the first guy to go to – almost a third opener – it's just repaying that trust and we talked about having a big squad … you've just got to be ready to go at any stage," he said after day three.

"Anytime you get a hundred you're pretty happy, especially when you're in and out of the team to fill a gap for other people, so anytime you get a chance to put on the Vic cap and perform it's a good day.

"It's going to be pretty good chase to be fair, I think it's going to be really entertaining game … I'd love to go out there and get 3-0 (in the morning)."

When James Pattinson (21) was bowled by Manenti (2-101) not long after trying to deposit a slog sweep onto Queens Way, it signalled Victoria's declaration on 7-334 with the better part of five sessions remaining.

Handscomb's decision to declare behind immediately looked the right one when Perry claimed both openers for single figures in his opening spell to reduce the visitors to 2-24.

An attacking 50 off 86 balls by skipper Matthew Wade – his second half century of the match – and a watchful 21 (44) by Ben McDermott – who took 22 balls to get off the mark – seemed to have put the Tigers back on top with a lead of 101 at tea.

But Murphy – who now has seven wickets in just his second first-class match after his first-innings 4-98 – breathed life back into Victoria when he removed both batters in consecutive overs to leave Tasmania wobbling at 4-90.

The 21-year-old had his third not long after when Jake Doran (2) was adjudged to have edged to Handscomb at slip, although on closer inspection of the replay it appeared to have brushed his back leg instead.

The catch took the Victorian skipper to seven for the match, which equals the Sheffield Shield record for the most in a match by a non-wicketkeeper, a feat that he also achieved against South Australia in February 2018.