NSW and Victoria settle for Shield draw at SCG

The Marsh Sheffield Shield match between NSW and Victoria at the SCG petered out to a draw despite a captain's century and final-day declaration from Kurtis Patterson.

Patterson (112) celebrated his first hundred of the Shield season then ended the Blues' second innings at 7-285, setting Victoria a target of 248 late in Tuesday's post-lunch session.

Victoria slipped to 3-54 when teenage legspinner Tanveer Sangha bowled Matt Short, extending a promising start to his first-class career.

But captain Peter Handscomb's steadying 39 and a determined Jonathan Merlo, who finished seven not out from 82 balls, ensured their side held on for 43 overs.

The visitors reached 4-91 when stumps were pulled at 6.26pm AEDT.

"You lose a whole day of cricket, it turns into a three-day game and there are even more rain delays," Patterson said.

"It's always going to be tough to get a result."

Rain, a near-constant presence in the contest that started a day late because of Will Sutherland's positive COVID-19 test, returned in the shadows of tea to stall the Blues' push for victory.

Patterson, who replaced Peter Nevill as NSW captain for 2021-22, started the season with knocks of 48, four, two and 24 during losses to Victoria at the MCG and Drummoyne Oval.

The left-hander, who played two Tests in 2019 but was not invited to Australia's upcoming pre-Ashes boot camp in Queensland, showcased his talent on Tuesday in front of national selector Tony Dodemaide.

"All those guys have earned the right to be there," Patterson said.

"I haven't had the runs on the board."

Patterson eventually fell unselfishly chasing quick runs as he became one of James Pattinson's five victims in the innings.

Pattinson, who finished with impressive match figures of 7-103, insisted he has no second thoughts about last month's shock retirement from international cricket.

"No, I'm really enjoying my cricket," the express paceman said.

"It feels like the ball is coming out well and I think part of that is just being able to relax now and not worry about that.

"Once you get to that next level and you're bowling 50 overs, my back probably couldn't really quite handle it."

Pattinson described Patterson as "one of the most damaging batters to bowl against" once he is in.

Pattinson made up for lost time after the start of Tuesday's play was briefly delayed because of showers, removing Moises Henriques with the first ball of the day.

It was the only wicket to fall before lunch as Jason Sangha (78) and Patterson shifted momentum in a 151-run stand.