MELBOURNE, Nov 10 AAP - The Victorian team was fuming here tonight after the Pura Cup cricket match against Queensland was taken into the fourth and final day.

Umpires Richard Patterson and Bob Parry called stumps once the day's allotted overs had been bowled, with Victoria 23 runs short of an outright win.

Victoria was 5-140 chasing 163 and the Bushrangers felt the umpires should have taken the option of playing another half an hour, as permitted under Cup rules.

Captain Darren Berry and coach David Hookes argued with the umpires as the players left the field, but Patterson and Parry felt Victoria was not scoring quickly enough to win today - regardless of another eight overs.

"I just think it's silly - there's 23 runs to be got in 48 balls, I don't think the right decision has been made," a frustrated Berry said.

"If either captain wants to continue, the umpires then have the discretion as to whether or not a result can be obtained - I obviously clearly wanted to continue."

In defence of the umpires, the poor state of the pitch has meant slow scoring and this would have affected their decision.

Berry slammed the state of the wicket, with a highest score of 187 for the match.

"I'm sure I speak on behalf of both teams - the wicket is clearly not of first-class standard," he said.

Hookes also criticised the pitch after yesterday's play, with the uneven bounce prompting a slow run rate throughout the game.

Not-out batsmen Brad Hodge (32) and Cameron White (16) wanted to keep playing tonight, while the Queensland team could not leave the field quickly enough.

The overnight break will swing the advantage Queensland's way, given Hodge and White had put on 33 on an uneven pitch and were looking settled.

Berry was confident his team would win, but if either Hodge or White loses his wicket in the first few overs tomorrow, the Bulls bowlers will smell blood.

Hodge will be relieved if he is still at the crease and Victoria wins - his mix-up with Jason Arnberger led to Arnberger's run out for 45 at a crucial stage of the post-tea session.

Arnberger's dismissal left the score 3-88 and it was soon 5-107 before Hodge and White stopped the slump.

Queensland resumed at 4-73 today and was dismissed soon after tea for 139.

Michael Love top-scored with 37, while Mick Lewis snared 4-27 and fellow opening bowler Will Carr took 3-31.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.