Vics skittled for 63 by Bulls in Shield

Michael Neser has helped reduce Victoria to a 95-year low before chiming in with the bat to leave Queensland well on top in their Sheffield Shield clash at Allan Border Field.

The Bushrangers were skittled for 63, their lowest Shield total since 1927, as Bulls pace duo Neser and Mark Steketee wreaked havoc.

Queensland went to stumps 6-130 with a lead of 67, mainly thanks to top-scoring Neser's unbeaten 30 off 43 balls.

The fringe Test hopeful put on 42 with Jimmy Peirson after the Bulls had fallen to 5-79 and were in danger of spoiling their barnstorming start.

Neser and Steketee entered the clash as the leading wicket-takers this season and their reputations were further enhanced following a magical few hours in Brisbane on Thursday.

Steketee finished with 5-18 off 11 overs while Neser returned figures of 4-22 off 12.4 overs.

Only three of Victoria's batters reached double figures in what was their fourth-lowest shield total on record.

Victoria coach Chris Rogers was left searching for answers after a woeful batting display.

"I don't expect a fourth draw (after three to begin the season), that's for sure," Rogers said.

"If there's going to be a result we're going to have to have an unbelievable day tomorrow.

"It's a big challenge ahead of us but that's why we play the game."

Neser started the carnage by bowling Travis Dean for a duck with the third ball of the day.

The in-form Marcus Harris followed soon after in embarrassing fashion, with the ball hitting the back of his bat and ballooning to Marnus Labuschagne at cover.

Peter Handscomb entered the match with 518 runs to his name this season at an average of 172.7.

But he was out for five when trapped lbw by Neser, leaving Victoria rocking at 3-5.

Alarm bells rang ever louder when Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper fell cheaply to leave the Bushrangers at 5-13 after nine overs.

Wickets continued to tumble with only 20-year-old Ashley Chandrasinghe (16 off 85 balls) able to offer any semblance of resistance in what became a painful fight for survival.

Amazingly, the damage could have been even worse for Victoria, with Neser watching two catches go down off his bowling.

Queensland moved to 0-39 in their reply before losing Burns (22) and Matthew Renshaw (13) in consecutive overs shortly before tea.

Marnus Labuschagne's (nine) meagre start to the summer continued and when Usman Khawaja (22) edged Cameron McClure behind the visitors were back in the contest.

VICTORIA'S LOWEST SHIELD TOTALS:

31 v NSW in Sydney, 1907

35 v NSW in Sydney, 1927

43 v South Australia in Melbourne, 1896

63 v Queensland in Brisbane, 2022

73 v Western Australia in Melbourne, 1971