Steve Smith has clearly found his hands ahead of the Ashes, but even his half century couldn't stop a star-studded NSW falling well behind Victoria at the SCG.

Smith was the only Blues batter to pass 20 in the Sheffield Shield match on Tuesday as a Sam Elliott five-wicket haul had NSW all out for 128, well short of Victoria's first-innings 382.

The visitors then opted not to enforce the follow on and went to stumps on day two at 2-56, with a massive lead of 308.

NSW are fielding a bowling attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon for this match, with Starc and Lyon both taking four wickets in the first innings.

But there is a gulf in the batting with Peter Handscomb's century on day one putting Victoria well on top.

Regardless, Smith looked in great touch ahead of the f

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