A five-wicket haul from veteran paceman Peter Siddle has helped Victoria gain a 216-run lead against NSW at stumps on day two of the Sheffield Shield final.
After posting a first innings total of 289 on Thursday, charged by opener Marcus Harris' brilliant 141, the Victorians routed the Blues for 121 in just 39 overs.
Australian quick Siddle returned the best figures, jagging 5/28 from 14 overs with his typically nagging line-and-length bowling.
MORE: Pat Cummins to leave UAE in preparation for gruelling World Cup and Ashes winter
He achieved 200 Shield scalps with his performance.
Siddle was close to being dropped for the decider but Victoria gambled on playing four fast bowlers at Junction Oval; a bet which clearly paid handsomely.
Peter Siddle putting on a clinic with the Dukes in the #ShieldFinal! Five wickets for the Vic quick. pic.twitter.com/e2qgjTU4hU
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) 29 March 2019
The 34-year-old Siddle was ably supported by spearhead James Pattinson, who snared 3/30 in his third match back from a side strain.
National selector Trevor Hohns was in attendance to witness the duo wreak havoc with the Dukes ball, the same type that will be used for the Ashes in England later this year.
And Siddle, who boasts an impressive first class record in the UK, believes he and Pattinson would thrive if chosen together for the Ashes tour.
"The pressure that we build, whether it's me building pressure and him scaring with pace, or swing, me dotting them up at the other end, we complement each other very well," Siddle told reporters.
"We obviously did well here and in other games but over in England, I think bowling together is not as silly as it sounds.
"We would be a good pair to have bowling there later on in the year."
James Pattinson lit up the Shield decider with an electric spell of fast bowling. And didn't he enjoy it!#ShieldFinal | @JLT_AUS pic.twitter.com/Cdd43uPF8v
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) 29 March 2019
Incumbent Test batsman Kurtis Patterson was dismissed by Chris Tremain for 19, while Moises Henriques (35) and Jason Sangha (21) also made starts but couldn't capitalise.
NSW openers Daniel Hughes (2) and Nick Larkin (2) were both removed inside three overs.
When Patterson fell the score was 3/38 before NSW provided some resistance through Sangha and Henriques.
But Pattinson and Siddle then combined for three quick poles and the remainder of the Blues' batting order crumbled.
Tremain also contributed well to Victoria's bowling effort with 2/27.
The Bushrangers batted for 23.5 overs before play finished early due to bad light, reaching 1/48 with Travis Dean (24*) and Will Pucovski (0*) unbeaten.
Harris was unable to replicate his stunning first innings century, bowled by Sean Abbott for 23.