Harris cashes in as Shield clash heads for a draw

Test hopeful Marcus Harris has broken through for his first century of the domestic season as Victoria's Marsh Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania appears destined to end in a draw.

Harris, who last played for Australia in January 2022, top scored with a classy 164 in the Vics' 373 at the Junction Oval in Melbourne on Tuesday.

After taking a first-innings lead of 79, Tasmania were 1-15 when stumps were called early on day three due to bad light, then rain.

But the day belonged to Harris, scoring his 27th first-class century, and sixth at the Junction Oval.

The left-hander started the day unbeaten on 59, but made sure he cashed in on a good batting wicket after coming off scores of 0 and 11 in Victoria's last-start win against NSW.

Harris is hoping to break back into Australia's XI when David Warner bows out of Test cricket in January following the home series against Pakistan.

Concussion sub Campbell Kellaway didn't add to his overnight score of 51 and was out to Tigers allrounder Beau Webster.

But Peter Handscomb, who will also be pushing for a Test recall this summer, combined with Harris for a 100-run third-wicket stand to push the Vics closer towards Tasmania's score of 452.

Mitchell Owen was the pick of the Tigers' bowlers, finishing with figures of 3-38 from his 17 overs, dismissing Will Pucovski, Vics captain Will Sutherland and dangerous tailender Mitchell Perry.

The Tigers declined to take the second new ball for an extended period, fearing the hosts might score quicker with a change in Kookaburra.

Tasmania sit atop the ladder following their record-breaking run chase against Queensland last week, as they chase their first Shield title in 11 years.

Victoria entered this match following their first Shield victory of the season, a comfortable triumph over struggling NSW last week after opening with defeats against Western Australia and the Bulls.

Sheffield Shield 2023-24 standings

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Drawn D	No results N/R	Deductions Ded.	Batting Bonus Bat	Bowling Bonus Bowl	Total points PTS
1 Western Australia Men WA	10	5	2	3	0	0	5.53	9.4	47.93
2 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	10	5	2	3	0	0	6.06	8.3	47.36
3 NSW Men NSW	10	4	3	3	0	0	6.31	9	42.31
4 Victoria Men VIC	10	4	4	2	0	0	4.74	8.2	38.94
5 South Australia Men SA	10	3	6	1	0	0	5.19	9.3	33.49
6 Queensland Bulls QLD	10	2	6	2	0	0	3.54	8.3	25.84

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

D: Drawn

N/R: No results

Ded.: Deductions

Bat: Batting Bonus

Bowl: Bowling Bonus

PTS: Total points