NSW's star-studded attack is confident it can hit fast forward and help secure victory at Bankstown Oval, where Victoria will resume at 1-129 on the final day of the rain-hit Sheffield Shield contest.
Nathan Lyon's final-wicket stand with Harry Conway, worth 37 runs, lifted the Blues to a total of 373 and a first-innings lead of 174 runs in Sydney on Saturday.
But the pitch offered Lyon and Test spearhead Pat Cummins limited assistance in day three's final session, when Nic Maddinson's unbeaten 53 helped Victoria trim NSW's lead to 45 runs.
Lyon claimed the only wicket to fall in 50 overs after the change of innings, breaking a 73-run opening partnership between Maddinson and Marcus Harris.
It came when Harris charged the tweaker in the 23rd over, with his loose drive resulting in a skied edge that landed in Moises Henriques' lap at backward point.
Light rain ensured no play was possible between 11.25am and 2.15pm (local time) on Saturday, while Thursday's showers had meant a stop-start opening day.
Lyon, fresh from last week's career-best Shield match figures of 10-78 against the same opposition, believes there is enough time remaining to turn the screws.
"We understand if we can take a couple of big wickets then we can get into the lower order," the offspinner said.
"It's pretty exciting. Especially when you've got someone like Pat Cummins, who can run through batting line-ups.
"It (the pitch) is quite slow and dead.
"The wicket has settled down a fair bit. It's up to us bowlers to get creative."
Earlier on Saturday, Lyon had contributed with the bat, scoring 18.
The highlight came when he rocked back and pulled a short ball from Will Sutherland over the fence.
Conway, batting for the first time in domestic cricket since his concussion during a tour game against India, finished 12 not out.
The 28-year-old, renowned for his impersonations as much as being one of NSW's most promising fast bowlers, was typically lively at the crease.
He called loudly and confidently, left with gusto and even borrowed some of Steve Smith's mannerisms as he sought to process what the pitch was doing.
James Pattinson finished with a haul of 4-60 after removing Cummins and Trent Copeland on Saturday morning.
Lyon predicted the presence of Pattinson, Cummins and other Test squad members will help accelerate the development of young players in the Shield.
"James could easily have had five or six, he's a world-class bowler," Lyon said.
"You can see the class that James and Pat bring.
"It's pretty amazing to have these type of guys running around in first-class cricket."
Australian Associated Press
