A typically hard-hitting 92 from Steve Smith steered NSW to a formidable 350 in their one-day match against Victoria at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.

Smith’s 68-ball innings, that included 10 fours and three sixes, had NSW eyeing off 400 before they lost 6-68 at the tail end as the Bushrangers bowlers did well to limit the home side after a series of dropped catches.

Despite an opening stand of 82 between Brad Haddin and Scott Henry, the NSW innings began relatively leisurely after they were sent in.

But after Haddin fell to John Hastings for 35 in the 18th over, pinch hitter Sean Abbott upped the ante considerably.

Abbott smashed 40 off just 16 balls before he fell to the bowling of Jayde Herrick in the 23rd over with NSW at 3-141, after Henry fell the previous over to Scott Boland for 61 off 72.

That brought Smith to the crease to join Nic Maddinson.

The left-handed Maddinson didn’t last long, deceived by Cameron White’s legspinners and caught and bowled for 12 to continue his disappointing season.

Neville then joined Smith with NSW drifting at 4-174 and the pair put together an eye-catching 108 run fifth wicket stand.

But when Neville (39 off 31) departed and was followed by Smith, NSW lost their way.

The in-form Henriques hit 31 off 20 but Victoria, led by Boland’s 4-85 off his allotted 13 overs, dismissed NSW with three balls to spare, leaving them chasing 351 for victory.