NSW captain Peter Nevill defied a short-ball barrage, as his side reached 8-255 at tea on day four of their Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at the MCG.

Nevill (39no) led from the front in the Blues’ attempt to hold on for a draw, lifting them to a 114-run lead at the end of Monday’s second session.

Ben Rohrer retired hurt after a brutal bouncer struck his helmet shortly after lunch, while Nevill tried to recreate the 89-run stand he shared with Josh Hazlewood in the first innings.

Hazlewood (9no) soaked up 28 minutes at the crease.

On a drop-in deck that has offered little assistance to bowlers, time is expected to be more of a factor than runs for a team that amassed 5(dec)-507 in their first dig.

Victoria’s Chris Tremain had threatened to slice through NSW’s lower order, making good use of the second new ball against his old side.

Tremain removed Patrick Jackson and Josh Lalor with consecutive deliveries.

Gurinder Sandhu survived the hat-trick ball, ducking a bouncer that hurtled in to his back.

It was the same evasive action that Rohrer took against Tremain in the 73rd over, but with far more serious consequences.

Rohrer left the field sitting on the back of a motorised stretcher and was sent for precautionary scans after wearing one on the ear.

Tremain, who grew up in the tiny NSW town of Yeoval and switched states during the off-season, fired in another short delivery to dismiss Jackson.

The debutant popped the ball up to Rob Quiney, while Lalor was plumb lbw.

Sandhu, who was clean bowled by legspinner Fawad Ahmed, showed much steel in his 33 minutes at the crease.

NSW resumed on 2-106 when Monday’s action started under clear skies.

A draw seemed to be the most likely result until Matthew Wade helped dismiss Kurtis Patterson and Scott Henry in the final two overs of the morning session.

Under this season’s new Shield rules, the Blues will reap one point if they hold on for a draw.