NSW's winless Shield streak continues with loss to Vics

NSW have slumped to a 15th-straight match without a Marsh Sheffield Shield win after going down to Victoria by 205 runs at the MCG.

The Blues were rolled for 173 midways through the first session of day four to extend the proud cricket state's painful run in the historic competition.

NSW fought harder than they had for most of the match after beginning play on Sunday at 8-124, still well behind the victory target of 379.

Australia star Nathan Lyon dug in with allrounder Jason Sangha (78) in his first-class return after tearing his calf during this year's Ashes series in England.

Lyon, unbeaten on 17, was the last man standing as Sangha, having hit a six, attempted another slog-sweep and was caught off the bowling of Todd Murphy (3-34).

Tailender Jackson Bird (two), who top-scored in NSW's dismal first-innings total of 102, lasted just 11 balls and was the last Blues batter out.

NSW are without a victory since February 2022, with this current streak considerably worse than their previous low of 10 winless matches.

"We're going to have to look deep and have a bit of an analyse and learn; see what we're doing and see what the best are doing," Blues captain Moises Henriques said.

"They're the age-old cricket questions but unfortunately we're just not doing it very well at the moment."

The result brought sweet relief for Victoria after they started the season with thumping defeats to Western Australia and Queensland.

The Vics were in some trouble at 6-131 in their second innings but led by Peter Handscomb's 90 they added 153 for the final four wickets to take complete control of the match.

Tailender Fergus O'Neill was dangerous on his way to an unbeaten 70 as he combined in a 58-run final-wicket stand with Scott Boland (one).

"(Handscomb) might have got a little clip from the coach after (how he was out in) the first innings," Victoria captain Will Sutherland said.

"The way he responded, they were incredibly valuable runs.

"We knew it was going to be pretty much impossible for them to chase that total down thanks to him, which takes a big burden off the bowlers' shoulders."

Victoria will be back in action next Saturday when they host Tasmania at the Junction Oval in Melbourne, while NSW face a difficult test against two-time defending champions WA at the SCG.

Sheffield Shield 2023-24 standings

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Drawn D	No results N/R	Deductions Ded.	Batting Bonus Bat	Bowling Bonus Bowl	Total points PTS
1 Western Australia Men WA	10	5	2	3	0	0	5.53	9.4	47.93
2 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	10	5	2	3	0	0	6.06	8.3	47.36
3 NSW Men NSW	10	4	3	3	0	0	6.31	9	42.31
4 Victoria Men VIC	10	4	4	2	0	0	4.74	8.2	38.94
5 South Australia Men SA	10	3	6	1	0	0	5.19	9.3	33.49
6 Queensland Bulls QLD	10	2	6	2	0	0	3.54	8.3	25.84

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

D: Drawn

N/R: No results

Ded.: Deductions

Bat: Batting Bonus

Bowl: Bowling Bonus

PTS: Total points