Test opener Marcus Harris has fallen agonisingly short of a century as Victoria progressed to 3-184 at stumps on day two of their Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland.
With the Bulls in a commanding position after posting 441 in their first innings, the superb knock from Harris dragged his side back into the contest but he was dismissed on 95 just minutes before stumps at Junction Oval.
The left-hander belted 15 fours in an impressive display before he was caught behind off the bowling of Mitchell Swepson in the second-last over on Sunday.
With form in the remaining four rounds of the Shield season of great significance for those players in the Test squad and with Ashes aspirations, Harris is off to a bright start despite failing to make it to three figures.
"It was disappointing to get out when I did," Harris said.
"... I think that's the first time I've got out in the nineties in Shield cricket.
"It's crap because you have so many bad days so to get that close and not get it is disappointing.
"(But) I've had a quiet little patch so it was good to get some runs."
Nic Maddinson is not out on 36 with night watchman Scott Boland to resume on nought.
Earlier, some big hitting by Michael Neser helped Queensland to their imposing first innings total.
The Bulls resumed on day two at 4-308 and were bowled out after lunch, with Neser making vital late runs to finish unbeaten on 75 with 10 fours and a six.
Neser frustrated Victoria with a 46-run last-wicket partnership with Luke Feldman.
"I've been hitting them alright lately but I've still got to get that hundred which is a goal of mine," Neser said.
"The wicket is deteriorating a bit ... hopefully it deteriorates more and with a couple of wickets we're definitely in the game."
Neser also finished with figures of 1-36 from 13 overs, the allrounder removing stand-in skipper Travis Dean on 26.
Charlie Hemphrey resumed on 87 on Sunday but also fell short of a ton when he was caught behind on 93 off the bowling of Peter Siddle.
Chris Tremain was the pick of the Victorian bowlers with 3-93 from 30.4 overs.
Half centuries to Test pair Joe Burns and Marnus Labuschagne got Queensland off to a good start on day one after skipper Jimmy Peirson won the toss.
Australian Associated Press
