Marcus Harris and Will Pucovski have reminded national selectors of their Test bona fides as they combined for Victoria’s record Sheffield Shield partnership in the 128 years of Australian first-class cricket.

In a humiliating day two for struggling South Australia in Glenelg, the insatiable Harris (207 not out) and Pucovski (199 not out) took Victoria to 0-418 by stumps.

Their effort surpassed the 391-run partnership of Julien Wiener and Jeff Moss against Western Australia in 1981 and sits fifth on the all-time partnerships in the competition.

Mark and Steve Waugh’s high-water mark of 464 unbeaten for New South Wales in 1990 will be in the sights of Pucovski and Harris when play resumes on Sunday.

Pucovski, who has long been earmarked as Test player of the future, showed his versatility by opening the batting instead of coming in at his usual number three spot in the order.

The runs flowed regardless, as he hit 22 fours and one six in an extraordinary 308-ball display that is sure to impress Australia coach Justin Langer ahead of the four-Test series against India.

Pucovski was on the cusp of playing a Test last season but made himself unavailable due to mental health issues, before sustaining what was his eighth career concussion in February.

Former Test player Harris was just as effective on Saturday as he seeks to add to his nine appearances for Australia.

The left-handed Harris clubbed 23 boundaries and a six in his 359-ball stay and edged Pucovski to claim a double century before stumps.

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South Australia tried seven bowlers, all to no effect, in another disappointing performance on home turf.

With four home matches to start the competition, last season’s wooden spooners had eyes on a strong start but are now staring down the barrel of a second outright loss in three matches.

Across at Adelaide’s Gladys Elphick Park, Tasmania’s Matthew Wade pressed his claims for Test selection and Western Australia’s Cameron Green made a successful return to bowling in their Sheffield Shield match.

Wade, playing in his first Shield match of the season, hit a timely 83 to help Tasmania to 5-273 at stumps on day two, chasing Western Australia’s 302.

Earlier, outstanding young talent Green picked up a wicket in just his third over, having Jordan Silk (17) caught off a rising delivery in the gully.

Recently selected primarily as a batsman in his first senior Australian squad to play India in limited overs formats next month, the allrounder had not bowled in a year because of back problems.

Eased back into action with the ball, Green bowled eight overs for the day and finished with a commendable 1-15.

In the other Sheffield Shield match being played in Adelaide, New South Wales reached stumps on 7-269 at Karen Rolton Oval to trail Queensland by 29 runs.

AAP/ABC



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