Test quick Scott Boland has struck as Victoria claimed three early wickets against South Australia before rain stopped play in the Sheffield Shield final.
Skipper Will Sutherland sent the visitors in to bat amid threats of rain at Melbourne's Junction Oval on Thursday.
The decision paid early dividends when Boland (1-19), in his 100th Shield game for Victoria, had Mackenzie Harvey (nine) caught behind and the visitors slumped to 3-21.
But Nathan McSweeney (25 not out) and Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey (11no) steadied the ship, steering SA to 3-55 at lunch.
Players were gathered on the boundary ready to re-enter the field of play after the break when rain started falling.
Umpires quickly called for ground staff to bring out the covers, which look set to remain for the rest of a dreary afternoon on day one.
Fergus O'Neill (1-9) removed Henry Hunt (five) cheaply and Jason Sangha was out for a duck when he was trapped lbw by Sutherland (1-9).
The Vics earnt hosting rights for the five-day decider after a dominant Shield season, winning seven games with just two losses and a draw.
The hosts preferred Sam Elliott over Mitch Perry in a tight selection call in their bowling ranks.
Perry was runner-up to SA's Liam Scott in the umpire-judged Shield player of the season award.
SA, who last season broke a Shield triumph drought dating back to 1995/96, won four games, lost two and drew four en route to the final.
The South Australians retained the same side that drew with Victoria in the last round, with legspinner Lloyd Pope unable for force his way into the starting XI.
