Maxwell's double puts Vics in box seat

Glenn Maxwell has posted the second-highest Sheffield Shield score by a Victorian this century, making a statement with an imposing 278 against NSW in the JLT Sheffield Shield match at North Sydney Oval.

Just a week after he was dropped from the Australian Test team, Maxwell demanded the selectors take note with a near eight-hour knock that allowed Victoria to declare at 9-562 and pile the pressure on the undefeated Blues.

By stumps on day two, the hosts were 5-125, still 287 short of the 412 follow-on mark.

After Maxwell resumed on 213 on Saturday morning, he blasted another 10 boundaries to take his tally to 40 – including one massive off-drive over point for six off Trent Copeland.

It was the third maximum he struck from the former Test paceman in the innings, after twice belting him back over his head on Friday.

The 29-year-old's knock was the eighth-highest by a Victorian in the Sheffield Shield and the highest of any player from any state since Liam Davis' 303 not out for Western Australia against NSW in February 2012.

Maxwell's innings spanned 468 minutes and 318 balls, the longest in his first-class career.

Renowned for being a brash batsman, his first non-conventional shot didn't come until he reverse swept Stephen O'Keefe (3-128) for four when on 264.

However the former Test spinner finally had his number six overs later, when he spun one from outside leg and past the all-rounder's outside edge to take the top of off stump.

"He probably just understands it's a bit more than flashy periods of brilliance and actual runs are far more important," former captain and Victorian teammate Cameron White said.

"It's great to see that he's churning them out consistently. Throw that big knock in, it's what selectors want to see and we as Victoria need him to do. It's good to see."

It was O'Keefe who finally claimed Maxwell's scalp when he spun one from outside leg and past the all-rounder's outside edge to take the top of off stump.

The knock followed on from his two half-centuries earlier this month against South Australia, which weren't enough to earn him the national No.6 spot after he played in the most recent tours of India and Bangladesh.

Maxwell's innings also formed part of three century stands. He combined with Travis Dean (36), Aaron Finch (76) and Cameron White (66) before Chris Tremain produced a quickfire 45no to push Victoria to their declaration.

Tremain then backed his innings up with the wickets of Blues openers Daniel Hughes (44) and Nic Maddinson (31) before finger-spinner Jon Holland took charge to claim Nick Larkin (11), Kurtis Patterson (16) and Moises Henriques (5).

NSW XI: Moises Henriques (c), Nic Maddinson, Dan Hughes, Kurtis Patterson, Nick Larkin, Ed Cowan, Peter Nevill, Stephen O'Keefe, Sean Abbott, Trent Copeland, Doug Bollinger.

Victoria XI: Aaron Finch (c), Marcus Harris, Travis Dean, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron White, Matthew Short, Seb Gotch, Peter Siddle, Chris Tremain, Jon Holland, Scott Boland.