New South Wales 233 and 7 for 285 dec (Patterson 112, J Sangha 78, Pattinson 5-71) drew with Victoria 271 & 4 for 91 (Handscomb 39)
The Sheffield Shield match between NSW and Victoria at the SCG petered out to a draw despite a captain's century and final-day declaration from Kurtis Patterson.
Patterson celebrated his first hundred of the Shield season then ended the Blues' second innings at 7 for 285, setting Victoria a target of 248 late in Tuesday's post-lunch session.
Victoria slipped to 3 for 54 when teenage legspinner Tanveer Sangha bowled Matt Short, extending a promising start to his first-class career. But captain Peter Handscomb's steadying 39 and a determined Jonathan Merlo, who finished 7 not out from 82 balls, ensured their side held on for 43 overs.
Victoria originally had approximately 53 overs, weather permitting, to complete the chase. Rain, a near-constant presence in the contest that started a day late because of Will Sutherland's positive Covid-19 test, returned in the shadows of tea.
Handscomb clipped his 73rd delivery straight to Jason Sangha at leg slip, but there was no chaotic collapse under darkening skies. Patterson, who replaced Peter Nevill as NSW captain for 2021-22, started the season with knocks of 48, 4, 2 and 24 during losses to Victoria at the MCG and Drummoyne Oval. The left-hander, who played two Tests in 2019 but was not invited to Australia's upcoming pre-Ashes boot camp in Queensland, showcased his talent on Tuesday in front of national selector Tony Dodemaide.
Patterson eventually fell unselfishly chasing quick runs as he became one of James Pattinson's five victims in the innings. Pattinson, who last month announced his retirement from international cricket, finished with impressive match figures of 7 for 103.
He made up for lost time after the start of Tuesday's play was briefly delayed because of showers, removing Moises Henriques with the first ball of the day. It proved the only wicket to fall before lunch as Jason Sangha and Patterson shifted momentum in a 151-run stand, withstanding a testing examination from Pattinson.
Sangha hammered two sixes off Wil Parker in the 49th over, signalling his team's intent to try to make a game of the clash. Hayden Kerr and Chris Tremain each cleared the rope before Patterson called the unbeaten batters in, but the hosts failed to conjure 10 wickets.
