Brett Lee ... made career best 97 for NSW. - Reuters

SYDNEY, Australia (AP):

SPINNER BEAU Casson took 4-126 as New South Wales (NSW), with seven Test players in their line-up, beat Victoria by 258 runs yesterday to win the Australian first-class cricket final.

Chasing an almost impossible target of 629 runs to win at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Victoria were bowled out before tea on the fifth and final day for 370, including opener Nick Jewell's 99.

It was New South Wales' 45th Australian first-class title.

Victoria resumed yesterday morning at 96-2 and reached 222-6 at lunch, losing David Hussey (31), Cameron White (57), Andrew McDonald (4) and Jewell.

Jewell was trapped lbw by Test paceman Stuart Clark on the last ball before lunch, one run shy of his fifth first-class century.

NSW, who finished on top of the standings, needed only a draw to claim the title.

Stuart MacGill (2-118) and Clark (2-29) took two wickets each in Victoria's second innings.

Inspired by Brett Lee's career-best 97, NSW declared at 563-8 after tea on day four.

Victorian fast bowler Peter Siddle finished with nine wickets for the match despite ongoing shoulder problems that will likely require surgery next week.

Man-of-the-match

NSW captain Simon Katich's innings of 86 and 92 in the final earned him the man-of-the-match award.

The 23-Test veteran improved his hopes of an international comeback by becoming the highest scorer in a domestic first-class season, finishing with 1,506 runs at an average of 94.12.