Victoria's late-season charge for a spot in the Sheffield Shield's showpiece game will come down to the final round after a thumping 10-wicket win left NSW with an unwanted record.
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NSW's batting folded at the Lavington Sports Ground in Albury as Victoria eased to victory inside three days.
The Blues could muster just 130 in their second innings, leaving the visitors to secure the three runs they needed to win just after tea.
The result means Victoria go into the final round equal second with Queensland, though narrowly trailing their rivals on bonus points.
Victoria will face Western Australia in Perth in the final round commencing on March 14.
"Everyone is trending upwards for us at the right time of the season," said Victoria's Will Sutherland, who has won all three matches since stepping into the Shield captaincy role.
"We have a lot to prove after last year when we lost the Shield final (in Perth) and the boys will be really hungry to turn that around."
It is a very different story for bottom side NSW, however, whose winless form has now gone for a state record 11 matches stretching back into last season.
NSW are certain to finish bottom regardless of the result in their final match against South Australia.
The game was very much in the balance when day three commenced, with Victoria just 61 runs in front on 9-264.
But the Vics stretched their tally to 331 for a first-innings lead of 128.
Matt Short headlined the batting card, completing his century during the morning session before being dismissed for 104.
It was a second century in as many Shield matches for Short, whose record since the mid-season break stands at 378 runs at an average of 75.6.
Short even chipped in with a couple of wickets with his part-time spin returning figures of 2-11.
"Matt Short looked like he was batting on a different wicket to everyone else," Sutherland said.
"He has been in amazing form and set it up for us beautifully."
Young paceman Mitch Perry once again led the way for Victoria, picking up 4-30.
Only Chris Green defied the visitors, with his unbeaten 39 down the order ensuring the Victoria would have to bat again.
NSW were without season top-scorer Daniel Hughes who was unable to bat after retiring hurt in the first innings with a calf injury.
"We were pretty much outplayed in every facet of the game," NSW captain Kurtis Patterson said.
"(It's) really disappointing and a little bit embarrassing to be honest."
Australian Associated Press
