Steve Waugh carved out a superb double century as NSW slapped a padlock on its critical Pura Cup cricket match against Victoria at the MCG.

Any questions about the Blues and Australian skipper's longevity in the game disappeared in an eight-and-a-half-hour showcase of all that's good about one of the world's great batsmen.

Waugh was eventually dismissed for 211 - just five runs short of his highest first-class score - as his side posted a massive first innings target of 8-544 declared.

In reply, Victoria started promisingly in its run chase - 0-132 at stumps on day two in the battle of second and third on the Pura Cup table.

But with the Bushrangers still trailing by 412 runs, the Blues remain in the box seat to get at least first innings points after Waugh's heroics over the past two days.

Waugh came to the crease yesterday with his side reeling at 2-0 and its season on the line.

He departed 517 minutes, 21 fours and a six later with his side well in control of a match it must take points from to boost its hopes of a Pura Cup final berth.

The only thing that looked capable of stopping the 37-year-old today was rain.

It didn't arrive. Instead a torrent of runs flowed from the bats of Waugh and Brad Haddin - the Blues wicketkeeper swashbuckling his way to 117 off 139 balls, including 10 fours and four sixes.

Waugh and Haddin put on 167 before the skipper was bowled by Mathew Inness trying to force the pace on a docile pitch.

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