Pat Murphy reports (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Skipper Stewart was at the crease for more than four hours before being run out as England totalled 308 for five by close of play.

It was his highest first-class score of the tour and ended a dismal run, which included four ducks in eight innings.

Stewart, who enlisted the advice of his father Micky in the nets earlier this week, steered England out of trouble after they had slumped to 33 for two early at the MCG.

"I've not had long enough at the crease on this tour to say whether I was in nick or not. To spend time out in the middle was the most important thing for me and to get a century was a bonus," he said.

Alec Stewart gives his reaction

"When you get out for single figure scores and the occasional nought, it becomes a problem with your rhythm at the crease because you are not spending enough time there.

"On tour, it becomes especially difficult because you can have another week before you get another chance to have an innings. You can have as many nets as you like, but it's not the same as actually spending time out in the middle."

Under-strength Victoria

Atherton: determined to carry on hooking

But against a largely second-string Victoria team, there was little overall improvement in England's performance following last week's second Test humiliation in Perth.

John Crawley, opening with Lancashire teammate Mike Atherton, made only eight in 37 minutes before edging fast bowler Brad Williams to wicket-keeper Peter Roach.

Nasser Hussain also failed as he became the maiden first-class victim of 6ft 7ins Ashley Gilbert, who was given his debut after seven regulars with left out of the Victoria side.

Hussain misjudged the bounce and the ball looped into the air to give short leg Jason Arnberger the chance to pull off a diving catch.

Stewart survives an appeal for a bat-pad catch

Atherton added a crucial 62 runs in 23 overs with Stewart before Mathew Inness tempted him into a front foot drive which was brilliantly caught by Shawn Craig diving to his right.

Graham Thorpe followed Atherton back to the pavillion for 19, leaving England on 135 for four, but Stewart and Mark Ramprakash batted positively to add 112 at almost a run a minute.

Stewart was eventually out when he was beaten by Arnsberger's throw from fine leg as he attempted a risky second run off the bowling of spinner John Davison.

It was Victoria's last success of the day as Ramprakash made the most of a let-off at slip when he had made 20 to reach an unbeaten 61, with Graeme Hick contibuting 37 not out from 60 balls.

Close of play scorecard

England 1st innings:

M Atherton c Craig b inness 46
J Crawley c Roach b Williams 8
N Hussain c Arnberger b Gilbert 5
A Stewart run out 126
G Thorpe c Roach b Davison 19
M Ramprakash not out 61
G Hick not out 37
Extras (4lb, 1w, 1nb) 6
Total (for 5 wickets, 102 overs) 308

Fall of wickets: 1-25 2-33 3-95 4-135 5-247

Still to bat: B Hollioake, R Croft, A Fraser, D Headley