Phil Jaques' continued strong batting form was the bedrock as New South Wales took control of its Pura Cup cricket match against Victoria.

Jaques made his first Pura Cup century of the season as the Blues reached 2-217 in their first innings at stumps on day two of the rain-affected game at Junction Oval.

He was unbeaten on 124 and put on 149 for the third wicket with Dominic Thornely, who was 61no.

The match did not start until 2pm on Wednesday and bad light stopped play just before 7pm, with NSW already in a position where it will call the shots over the remaining two days.

Jaques has also made two ING Cup tons this summer and his overall Pura Cup figures over five games are 375 runs at an average of 62.5.

He also made 1191 Pura Cup runs at 66.17 last summer with five centuries and toured Pakistan in the off-season with the Australia A team.

Despite his growing credentials, Jaques is mindful of how long it has taken batsmen such as Brad Hodge to force their way into the Australian team.

"Hodgey was waiting for a lot longer than I have been, I guess, he's been a great player for a long time," he said.

"I try not to put any pressure on myself, you just want to be in the right place at the right time ... hopefully I will get mine at some point."

Jaques had two lives, dropped by David Hussey at second slip on 22 and by Michael Klinger in gully on 67, but for the most part he looked composed.

He and Thornely steadily made the Victorian attack, missing Mick Lewis, Cameron White and Shane Warne, look second-rate.

"It was a good, hard day's cricket and I think we've asserted ourselves to be on top in the game at the moment.

"Hopefully we can carry on tomorrow and have a big day.

"It was a really hard day for both sides ... for the most part, it was a good batting wicket and just the odd one would move around."

Defending champion NSW was top and Victoria second heading into this game, but the state of play and the two sides' first-innings form so far this summer have the visitors in control.

The Blues' lowest first-innings score so far is 475, while Victoria is yet to pass 300.

Persistent rain forced day one to be cancelled and there was more frustration on Wednesday because of heavy overnight storms.

Despite sunny weather, play was delayed by another three and a half hours while the ground drained.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP