In-form Matthew Wade keeps alive his Ashes tour dream as Victoria tightens screws on Tasmania

Matthew Wade has kept alive his dream of Ashes selection with a defiant half-century to continue his outstanding Sheffield Shield season as Victoria took complete control in its match against Tasmania.

Chris Tremain (centre) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Matthew Wade at Junction Oval.

Only a marvellous counter-attacking innings from Matthew Wade saved Tasmania from complete disaster against Sheffield Shield leaders Victoria at the Junction Oval on Wednesday.

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Tasmania ended day two at 8-234, still 220 runs in arrears of Victoria’s hefty first innings’ 454.

Wade played a virtual lone hand as wickets fell at regular intervals, with his 86 including 12 boundaries and a six and coming from 128 balls.

It was an eighth half-century of the season for Wade, who trails only Victoria’s Marcus Harris on this season’s Shield run-scorers list, as the 31-year-old seeks a return to the Test side for the upcoming Ashes series.

Matthew Wade was the only Tasmanian batsman to offer any resistance against Victoria.

The wicketkeeper-batsman, who is captaining the side in the absence of the rested Tim Paine, was finally out caught behind off the bowling of Chris Tremain.

Wade’s fast scoring contrasted with his teammates who mostly struggled at almost half his run rate.

Paceman Andrew Fekete, who was named in the side ahead of Test veteran Peter Siddle, made early inroads to eventually return with figures of 3-71, while Scott Boland collected 3-53.

Wade’s innings was the only highlight for Tasmania on day two after the Tigers were again outplayed by the Shield frontrunners.

Matthew Wade cracks another boundary during his entertaining knock.

Resuming at 7-376, Victoria wicketkeeper Seb Gotch maintained the free-scoring of day one as the home side eased past 400.

Gotch struck 11 fours and a six during a 146-ball knock, but was the last batsman dismissed just short of his maiden first class century.

The Shield’s leading wicket-taker Jackson Bird (3-85), along with Riley Meredith (4-86), were the key contributors with the ball for Tasmania.

Tasmania likely need to win the match if they are to stay in touch with second-placed NSW and third-placed Western Australia ahead of the final two rounds.