Red centre Blues for Bushrangers

A spot in next week's Sheffield Shield final looks in reach for NSW thanks to a strong showing with bat and ball from NSW spinner Nathan Lyon in a winner-take-all match in Alice Springs.

Victoria ended the day at 8-239; still 102 runs in arrears of the Blues in a match where the winner is guaranteed a spot in next week's season decider.

Only a defiant century from No.3 Marcus Stoinis was all that stood between Victoria and oblivion.

The allrounder hit a patient 107 from 199 balls, and combined for a 132-run sixth wicket stand with Dan Christian (53), but it was a rare highlight for Victoria.

While NSW's bowling honours were shared among four wicket-takers it was a remarkable innings from NSW tail-ender Nathan Lyon that is the difference between the two teams going into day three.

The third-placed Blues resumed at 8-262, and Lyon soon set about the Victorian bowling attack.

The Australian Test spinner cracked a lusty 75 off just 46 deliveries, in a career-best innings that included five sixes.

NSW eventually posted a highly competitive tally of 341 on the slow top-end wicket.

In reply, the Vics lost both openers within the first two overs and were reeling at 5-89, before Stoinis and Christian combined to keep the Bushrangers' hopes alive.

Lyon more than did his part with the ball by claiming 3-68, including the key scalp of Stoinis.