Moises Henriques was dismissed in the second last over on Sunday night for 98, effectively ending the Blues' hopes in a match they had dominated for long periods.

NSW finished on 259 after 49.5 overs in pursuit of Victoria's 265 off 49.2 overs.

The Blues seemed comfortably on track for just the second win of the domestic one-day season at 2-155.

Opener Daniel Hughes continued his good form with 83 from 85 balls before he was trapped lbw to Matt Short (2-21).

But a regular loss of wickets left NSW at 6-198 and needing a run a ball.

Fast bowler Daniel Sams crashed an enormous six that fell close to the second deck at the MCG, before being spectacularly caught next ball by a leaping Will Sutherland.

Needing 18 off the final two overs, Henriques was trapped lbw by Sutherland ending a 111-ball innings.

Test fast bowler Peter Siddle collected the best figures for the Bushrangers with 3-40.

Victoria's innings was built around a career-best 88 from middle-order batsman Short.

Short scored at just over a run a ball only to throw away his innings attempting to up the run rate.

Seventeen-year-old rookie Jake Fraser-McGurk was next best with 54 for his second half-century in as many outings for the Vics.

Australian limited-overs captain Aaron Finch made just 11, while dropped Test opener Marcus Harris looked in fine touch for his 44.

Sams starred for a Blues attack shorn of their Test stars, with the medium-pacer claiming 5-46.

Victoria will need a double bonus-point win on Tuesday over South Australia to have any chance of reaching the final later this month.

Australian Associated Press