NSW captain Peter Nevill top-scored against former side Victoria, lifting the Blues to a first-innings total of 366 in their Sheffield Shield clash.

Nevill became the fourth NSW batsman to pass 50, falling for 87 shortly before lunch on day two at the MCG as his side added 100 runs to their overnight total.

Josh Hazlewood was almost the fifth, stuck on 43 not out after sharing a final-wicket stand of 89 runs with Nevill.

Hazlewood was then unable to snag a wicket with the new ball, the Bushrangers ending the first session at 0-14 after three overs.

Counterpart Matthew Wade kept the field back for Nevill early in the morning session as Victoria chased the final scalp required, having sent NSW in on Friday and dismissed Will Somerville in the fifth over on Saturday.

Nevill was happy to take the easy singles on offer at the time under overcast skies, while the 23-year-old paceman recently recalled to the national one-day side showed he was no mug with the bat.

In 78 minutes, the pair swung momentum back NSW’s way.

Victorian-born and raised wicketkeeper Nevill, who shifted north from Melbourne in 2008, danced down the pitch to crash a beautiful six back over the head of Fawad Ahmed after steering his side to 300.

Nine overs and 40 runs later, with Ahmed swung around to the Great Southern Stand end, Hazlewood heaved a flighted ball from the legspinner over the long-on fence.

Shortly after, drizzle became heavy rain and sent the players scurrying.

Nevill was undone soon after the five-minute delay, picking out Peter Handscomb in the deep when he lashed at a short ball from John Hastings.

Ahmed trapped Somerville lbw in his first over on Saturday with a fine delivery that turned sharply.

Ahmed, who claimed the wickets of half-centurions Kurtis Patterson and Scott Henry on day one, finished with figures of 3-102.

Patient paceman Scott Boland’s career-best figures of 6-67 made him the standout bowler.