Scott Boland took five wickets for Victoria and Cameron Green made a century for WA

Cameron Green needed some runs before heading to New Zealand and he got plenty of them in Hobart.

Bad light then rain in Sydney prevented Test quick Scott Boland from bowling Victoria to the top of the Sheffield Shield table as batting gun Cameron Green made his first red-ball century in nearly a year in a perfect preparation for the tour of New Zealand.

Green, who earned a Test recall against the West Indies having been dropped during the 2023 Ashes in England, carved out a confidence building 103 not out as he and overlooked opener Cameron Bancroft (100 not out) guided Western Australia to a draw in Tasmania.

A second-innings 42 for Green against the Windies at the Gabba was reassuring for national selectors after the 24-year-old registered scores of just 14 and eight in his first two Test innings since last July.

Sent back to the Shield to get time in the middle before the two-Tests against the Kiwis, Green only managed a shaky six runs in the first innings in Hobart.

But coming in during the second session of the final day, needing to bat for as long as possible given the chase of 450 to win was unrealistic, Green and Bancroft put together a unbeaten 156-run partnership, facing a combined 347 balls, in crucial time in the middle.

Green was in such powerful form he hit a six out of Blundstone Arena, with the ball lost.

For Bancroft, who missed out on a Test call-up when Steve Smith was elevated to opener, it was a third century of the season and took his run-haul to 692.

Cameron Green had no interest in spending too much time in the 90s!

A six and a three (and a lost ball) to go from 91 to 100 in two deliveries.#SheffieldShield | @MarshGlobalpic.twitter.com/lzU8IVq1T1

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 19, 2024

It was Green’s highest red-ball score since he made 96 for WA last November, and is most recent century was against India last March.

The draw in Hobart was enough for the home team to hold on to top spot on the Shield table, but only just, after the horrible conditions were denied the Vics full points in their clash with NSW.

Starting their second innings 202 runs behind after Nic Maddinson, Will Pucovski and Peter Handscomb all piled on hundreds for the Vics, Test quick Scott Boland ran through the NSW top-order.

Before he also makes the trip to New Zealand, Boland snared 5-41 to leave the Blues reeling at 8-116, with tail-enders Nathan Lyon and Jackson Bird at the crease.

Scott's got five 🖐️ #vicsdoitbetter#SheffieldShieldpic.twitter.com/nFPjdyAjSP

— Victorian Cricket Team (@VicStateCricket) February 18, 2024

Bad light before lunch stopped play before the rain turned up and set in, and the covers were still on as the clock ticked past 4pm before the call was made to end the game, leaving the Vics two wickets short of getting the six points which would have propelled them to the the top of the table and a big points break on the other teams as they look to make a third-straight Shield final.

The Vics will face Tasmania in the next round of the Shield, and given the points gap they have on WA in third, the winner of that match would be in prime position to both make and host the final.