Coming off a strong campaign with Victoria last summer and some solid form in English county cricket during the Australian winter, Harris certainly has runs on the board.

However, Abbott never let him settled after Victoria won the toss and batted on a greenish pitch. Bowling fast and full, and generating movement in the air and off the pitch, Abbott took a ball away from Harris that produced a regulation edge.

Victoria batsman and former Test player Peter Handscomb struggled against the moving ball before being comprehensively bowled for 15.

Playing just his second game, left-handed opening batsman James Seymour looked good for his 34, lifting a short ball from Trent Copeland high over mid-wicket and onto the grass hill for a powerful six.

Seymour was trapped leg before wicket to a ball jagging back into him from Abbott and his fourth wicket came shortly after lunch when Matt Short (2), drove hopefully and Copeland snaffled the chance at slip.

Loading

The one real shining light for Victoria was former NSW batsman Nic Maddinson, who began cautiously and then showed his class as wickets tumbled around him.

Batting with the tail, he lifted Test spinner Nathan Lyon over long off for successive sixes and was eventually last man out caught on the deep cover boundary, slashing a short ball from Abbott for 87.

Lyon was a bit-part player in proceedings, claiming 1-59 from 22 largely economical overs.

Sangha’s maiden first-class wicket was young all-rounder Jonathan Merlo, who struck a few meaty blows and advanced against the leg-spinner, only to be caught behind for 33 after being stranded.