The Casey-South Melbourne all-rounder came in to bat with the Vics languishing at 5-38 on a Junction Oval pitch that was to prove bowler friendly.

Rose, 22, proceeded to make 49 not out and guide his team to a competitive 172 in the Sri Lankans' first official warm-up match of their Australian tour.

The 2nd XI then managed to claim Sri Lanka's last nine wickets for just 80 runs.

"I was pretty excited, I didn't expect to go as well as I did, especially with the bat," Rose said. "I was a bit nervous going in to bat with Sangakkara standing behind me - he is one of the best one-day batsmen in the world. After a few overs I settled down and made a few runs."

Rose is no stranger to the big stage, having played for the Australian under-19 team, but he feels his first outing against an international opposition at a senior level was a career highlight.

It also brought the Narre Warren South product closer to making his first-class debut for Victoria after the selectors' faith in him was rewarded.

"It was probably one of the biggest games that I have played in," Rose said.

"I know it was just a practice game and Sri Lanka were missing a few but they were playing in Sri Lankan colours."

Rose will not rest on this performance and believes it is his bowling that could eventually earn him selection for the Victorian team.

"I probably am a little bit closer to playing but it is probably my bowling, not my batting, that will get me picked," the left arm spinner said.

Victorian captain Michael Hill, one of only two Victorians in the second XI with first-class experience, said the 55-run partnership of Daniel Salpietro (35) and Rose (49 not out) and the bowling of Steve Seymour (5-52) and Andrew Fekete (0-27) were pivotal.