Kurtis Patterson stood a class above his NSW teammates but could not get the ton to thrust his name in front of national selectors as the Blues crumbled against one of their own on the renovated MCG pitch.
Test discard Peter Handscomb also missed a golden opportunity on a day where 13 wickets fell, raising hopes the famous ground's controversial drop-in deck will produce more exciting play this season.
Cut above: Kurtis Patterson impressed again with the bat, but couldn’t reach three figures.Credit:AAP
Victoria had the Blues under the pump at stumps on the first day after the visitors capitulated with the bat during a disastrous middle session in which they lost their final seven wickets for 56 to be all out for 159.
Former Blue Chris Tremain was the destroyer, claiming 5-47 as NSW's inexperienced middle order collapsed spectacularly.
In reply, the Vics were 3-101 overnight but have lost Handscomb, who was out for 48 to a lavish cut against young leggie Daniel Fallins in the penultimate over of the day.
Patterson's inability to convert 50s into 100s has cruelled his bid for a baggy green, and though he did not press on again, this innings was full of merit.
While his teammates struggled on a pitch that was livelier than last year but was by no means a batsman's graveyard, Patterson showed the value of patience. He saw off the new ball after Daniel Hughes' early dismissal while his defence was tight when the Victorian attack adopted a fuller and straighter approach after lunch.
He was on 63 when Tremain's switch to around the wicket lulled him into playing down the wrong line and was caught behind.
"He looked head and shoulders above everyone else today," Tremain said.
"He might be one of those blokes they're [the selectors] giving the message to, you scored a great 60 odd here, we need you to get 100.
"The message might be muddy when they realise what he's batting on and what everyone else got."
Youngster Jack Edwards, one of two teenagers in the Blues' new-look middle order, overcame an unconvincing start to strike a crisp 34 but his dismissal triggered the collapse.
There was little else to be enthused from a Blues perspective with senior players Hughes, Moises Henriques and Peter Nevill dismissed cheaply, though the latter two could feel aggrieved at the cricket gods. Henriques may have been saved if DRS was available at Shield level.
The dominance of ball over bat was in contrast to the string of bore draws last summer, the most notable of which was the Boxing Day Test stalemate on a pitch rated "poor" by the International Cricket Council.
Cut above: Kurtis Patterson impressed again with the bat, but couldn’t reach three figures.Credit:AAP
Reigning Shield player of the year Tremain, who was unlucky to miss the recent tour of the UAE, has now taken 14 wickets at 13 in a red-hot start to the season.
Unfortunately for the Dubbo product, who has not worn the baggy green, he will not be displacing Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood or Mitchell Starc unless one of them is injured.
"We've got three of the best in the world in the bowling line-up so there's no need for change," Tremain said. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
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