Arnberger and White lead remarkable fightback

Victoria 188 and 6 for 472 (Arnberger 152, White 105*) lead Queensland 371 by 289 runs
Scorecard

Superb hundreds by Jason Arnberger and Cameron White - his maiden one in first-class cricket - gave Victoria hope of sneaking an amazing win in their Pura Cup match against Queensland at Brisbane. Asked to follow on 183 behind on the first innings, Victoria smashed 6 for 472 by close of play on the third day, with Arnberger making 152 and White unbeaten on 105. With a lead of 289, Victoria are now in a position to put Queensland under pressure on the last day.

Starting the day with 1 for 171, Victoria continued to pile on the runs, with Arnberger leading the way. He was finally trapped in front by Andy Bichel, who finished with 4 for 90 and was by far Queensland's best bowler.

However, White continued the onslaught with Ian Harvey, who was undefeated on 71 at the close. The seventh wicket had put together 179 runs, and were only eight away from Victoria's highest stand for this wicket, which was achieved by Percy McAlister and Alf Murray 106 years ago against New Zealand.

White brought up his century in style, tonking Nathan Hauritz for a four and a six off successive balls just three overs before close of play. He was naturally upbeat about his team's chances on the final day: "The wicket's cracking up a bit ... and if we bowl really well tomorrow there's no reason we can't take ten wickets." If Victoria pull off a win, it will only be the fourth instance in Australian first-class history of a team winning after following on.

Talking about his hundred, White said: "It's a bit of a monkey off my back personally but more importantly we're 280 runs in front. I felt just huge relief. If I got within six, I'd made my mind up I wasn't going to waste my time hanging around."

There could be more problems for the Bulls on the final day as well, as James Hopes, who scored a hundred in their first innings, is battling a bruised hand. He indicated that he would bat tomorrow, if required. "I'm not going to play without pain. It's going to be sore if I bat. I won't bat properly, I would assume. I'll be a bit more defensive. The top hand will guide the bat and the bottom hand can't actually reach out with the bat. It just comes off it."

Hopes has been picked in the Australia A squad for the warm-up games against Pakistan and West Indies, and an injury while batting tomorrow could hamper his chances of playing those matches, but he insisted that he wouldn't put self-preservation ahead of his team's cause. "If I cop a hit in the next few days, it is susceptible to that but there the risks you take," he said. "I think it's all well and good to play for Australia A and get picked in that side, but if we lose this game because I can't bat that won't be real good for me."