In the box seat

Former Test opener Chris Rogers will go in search of yet another Bupa Sheffield Shield century this morning knowing full well that raising triple figures will all but sew up first innings points for the Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers.

With rain and bad light interfering again yesterday, Rogers (67 not out) will resume alongside stand in skipper David Hussey (7 not out) with his side some 70 runs adrift of New South Wales' total of 201, with play abandoned last night an hour before scheduled.

Having been soundly beaten by Queensland at the Gabba earlier this month, the Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers made four changes to their opening round line-up, but it was Jayde Herrick who laid the platform for the visitors.

Herrick (5-79) dismissed five of the top seven batsmen to complete his first five-wicket haul at first-class level, with spinner Jon Holland (3-42) polishing off the tail.

"I'd never been here (the SCG) until the other day to train before the game, so to get out there and get a few wickets, I'm very happy with that," Herrick told AAP.

"I didn't think the pitch actually played too bad. It was a little bit slow, it had a little bit of moisture in it and a bit of grass and if you bowled in the right areas you gave yourself a chance.

"I just think we batted really well and showed the pitch is in reasonable nick."

In reply, Rogers and Rob Quiney (44) combined for a 94-run opening stand before the latter skied an attempted pull off Sean Abbott (1-23) into the gloves of wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.

The only other Victorian casualty was Aaron Finch (9), who fell to a juggling slips catch from Tim Cruickshank off Moises Henriques (1-24) after he had top-scored in the Blues' innings with 68.

Play is scheduled to commence at the SCG from 10.30am AEDST this morning.