On a day for cricket masochists, a delayed declaration, rain and two limpet-like openers gave Victoria a realistic chance of saving its Pura Cup match against Tasmania today.

With a day to go, Victoria was still 350 runs behind after Tasmania batted until lunch, amassing a record 9-527 before declaring.

In the 110 minutes of play possible from that point, Jason Arnberger (19) and Matthew Elliott (17) whittled 38 runs off the deficit.

Rain permitting, the Victorians will still have to bat throughout tomorrow to deny Tasmania its first win of the season.

Given the way the Bellerive Oval wicket is playing and the ease with which Arnberger and Elliott survived, there's no reason why they shouldn't.

Tasmania resumed at 6-435 and its innings meandered on for another two hours.

In that time, wicketkeeper Sean Clingeleffer reached 112, his second century in successive matches, and fast bowler Damien Wright failed by a run to record his third half century of the season.

By lunch, Tasmania was well beyond its previous highest score against Victoria, 8-481 at Bellerive in 1996-97.

Why Tasmanian captain Jamie Cox kept going so long, especially when the scoring rate was only moderate, is mysterious.

The ease with which Clingeleffer and Wright batted on a wicket that had lost all its first day juice suggested that Victoria, which was mopped up for 139 in the first innings, would be a much tougher proposition second time around.

Moreover, it was obvious from the clouds gathering around the ground that a full day's play was unlikely.

And so it proved.

Arnberger and Elliott saw off five overs before light rain sent them off. Back they came after 37 minutes to resume their vigil.

Everything that could be left - and there was plenty - was left and most of the rest was played with great care until, just before a delayed tea, heavier rain ended the day's proceedings.

The rain also gave the Victorians more time to rest from their labours in the field.

With Damien Fleming out with a hamstring tear, the other bowlers carried a huge burden, none more so than Ian Harvey who took 3-136 from a marathon 47 overs.

Captain Paul Reiffel, who dismissed Clingeleffer and Wright with the third new ball, finished with 4-71.

It was a miserable day all round. The main interest was provided by a plover family, parents and two fragile chicks, who spent the morning browsing in the lush outfield, in grave danger of death from an off drive from the River end.

Happily they survived.

© 2001 AAP