An oft-overlooked batsman and a part-time spinner were the unlikely stars on day three of the Pura Cup cricket match between Victoria and New South Wales at the MCG.

The Blues held the upper hand with a day to play, thanks to Simon Katich's haul of 6-74 which restricted Victoria to 6-375 at stumps chasing NSW's first innings of 8(dec)-544.

Not a situation that would normally give captain Steve Waugh headaches but he had one anyway after being struck in the temple by an errant Stuart Clark throw while fielding in the covers.

Waugh left the field immediately and was taken to hospital for a precautionary scan.

Victoria's best hopes of securing the two first-innings points and cementing second place on the Pura Cup table rested with Matthew Mott, who batted all day for his highest first-class score of 181 not out.

Mott was only included in the Bushrangers team for his first match of the season after Matthew Elliott was ruled out with a knee injury.

He made the most of his opportunity, resuming on 53 this morning and putting on 223 for the first wicket with Jason Arnberger (105).

"It was a pretty good way to come in really," said Mott, whose previous best first-class score of 154 came two years ago against Western Australia.

"A day before the game I didn't know I was playing so I just looked at it as an absolute bonus.

"Obviously having a good wicket to bat on there were a lot of positive thoughts coming into the game."

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