Western Australia need 130 from 150 balls to win their Ryobi One-Day Cup match against Victoria at the MCG on Saturday night.
Batting for a second time, the Bushrangers- quest to erase the 27-run deficit from the first innings got off to a bad start when Aaron Finch was caught behind off the bowling of Michael Hogan for 32 and Andrew McDonald was bowled in the same over for a duck.
Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, who finished with a brilliant 101 from 81 balls paired with David Hussey (51 from 66) to steady the ship with some careful batting until they reached a team-lifting 50-run partnership.
Wade then raised the tempo and despite losing Hussey, who skied a catch to Pomersbach off Hogan, he continued to tick the scoreboard over and handed the home side a defendable total.
Wade-s unbeaten knock included 11 fours and two sixes as Victoria added 76 in their final 10 overs. In the highlight of the match so far the right-hander brought up his ton with a six from the penultimate ball of the innings that landed in the Ponsford Stand.
For the Warriors, Hogan was again the most effective bowler. But unlike the first innings where he went unrewarded, the right-arm quick got amongst the wickets and recorded figures of 5-44 from his 12 overs.
Contributing late in the innings for the Vics was Michael Hill, who hit a quick nine before he was caught behind off Mitch Marsh.
No.8 Will Sheridan made a duck after he skied a ball from Hogan-s bowling in the 42nd over and Peter Siddle managed six from five balls including an important boundary at the death.
Earlier, the Warriors sent the Bushrangers in to bat in bowler-friendly conditions and restricted the home side to 2-80 from their first 20 overs. Danger man Brad Hodge (12) was dismissed cheaply.
In reply WA, made 2-107 and after 20 overs each, both sides lost two wickets but it was Western Australia who found scoring easier.
WA will resume with Marcus North (31 from 29 balls) and Liam Davis (53 from 59) at the crease.
The pair had looked dangerous before the main break with a 56-run partnership and the Bushrangers will need an early breakthrough to keep themselves in the match.
Victoria 1stFinch not out 31 (63)Rogers b Heal 1 (4)Hodge c Davis b Dixon 12 (27)Hussey not out 21 (27)Total: 80 (2 wickets, 20 overs)FoW: 1-3, 2-45
BowlingHeal 3 - 0 - 12 - 1Hogan 6 - 0 -12 - 0Johnston 3 - 0 - 13 - 0Duffield 4 - 0 - 20 - 0Dixon 4 - 0 - 16 - 1
Western Australia 1st InningsDavis not out 53 (59)Ronchi c Hussey b Harwood 4 (5)Swart lbw b Siddle 13 (27)North not out 31 (29Total: 107 (2 wickets, 20 overs)FoW: 1-8, 2-51
BowlingHarwood 6 - 0 - 15 - 1Nannes 3 - 0 - 23 - 0Siddle 5 - 0 - 16 - 1McDonald 4 - 0 - 25 - 0McGain 2 - 0 - 9 - 0
Victoria 2nd InningsFinch c Ronchi b Hogan 32 (67)Hussey c Pomersbach b Hogan 51 (66)McDonald b Hogan 0 (4)Wade not out 101 (81)Hill c Ronchi b Marsh 12 (14)Sheridan c Pomersbach b Hogan 0 (3)Siddle c b Hogan 6 (5)Harwood not out 0 (0)Total: 236 (8 wickets, 20 overs)FoW: 3-85, 4-85, 5-161, 6-202 7-203, 8-230
BowlingHogan 12 - 0 - 44 - 5Johnston 3 - 0 - 13 - 0Heal 6 - 0 - 41 - 1Duffield 7 - 0 - 43 - 0Dixon 8 - 0 - 39 - 1Voges 1 - 0 - 4 - 0Marsh 8 - 0 - 40 - 1