SYDNEY, Dec 1 AAP - Michael Bevan scored 75 runs to guide New South Wales to an eight wicket win over Victoria in today's ING Cup cricket match at the SCG and to the top of the table.

The one-day international batsman showed timely form in the lead-up to the tri-series with England and Sri Lanka which starts at the same ground on December 13, with the Australian team to be picked this week.

The Bushrangers faced a tough task defending a paltry 175 after being bowled out in 49.2 overs.

Bevan's one-day expertise shone as he reached 75 off 94 balls in an unbroken partnership of 121 with Michael Clarke (61 off 88 balls) to lead the Blues to 2-176 in 39.1 overs and a bonus point.

NSW skipper Simon Katich said his side had batted with the bonus in mind.

"We thought about that ... you want to make sure that you start off your innings and focus on the process rather than worrying about targets down the track," Katich said.

"So there was no actual talk about it, but as soon as we got a good start, it was mentioned at the drinks break.

"We wanted to make sure that we put in a workman-like performance and the guys certainly did that today."

After winning the toss and sending the visitors in to bat on a difficult strip, the home side struck early.

NSW paceman Stuart Clark tempted Nick Jewell (six), who swatted a ball outside off stump to be caught behind by Brad Haddin in the fifth over.

While former NSW opener Jason Arnberger was contained early, No.3 Brad Hodge looked dangerous, smacking seven fours on his way to 41 off 67 deliveries.

But, in just his second over, Dominic Thornely put paid to Hodge's attack, trapping him lbw.

Arnberger cut loose, smashing Stuart MacGill for six with a straight drive that hit the sightscreen, and edging Shawn Bradstreet just wide of Haddin to bring up his half century with a four.

Arnberger topscored with 53 but was run out when Matthew Elliott hit a Thornely delivery towards Haddin, the 'keeper throwing to the bowler, who removed the bails with Arnberger unable to back up in time.

Arnberger's dismissal sparked a collapse as Victoria lost its last six wickets for 46.

Thornely bowled Elliott for 13 to finish with 2-29 from his 10 overs and earn man of the match honours.

Bradstreet took two wickets in two balls to finish with 3-40 while legspinner MacGill claimed 3-50.

He took a sharp catch off his own bowling to dismiss Cameron White (two) and almost repeated the effort to get rid of Andrew McDonald in extraordinary circumstances on the next delivery.

McDonald eged Bradstreet and the ball shot into the air while Bradstreet dived forward and got a hand to the ball as he went to ground next to the batsman.

The ball then appeared to bounce off Bradstreet's boot before eventually finding Haddin's gloves.

Berry acknowledged the importance of the toss.

"Whoever won the toss was going to have the best of the conditions," he said.

"But that's not an excuse at all, we were poor ... we lost our way in the last 20 overs with the bat when the wicket was probably getting better."

NSW tops the ladder on 13 points, four clear of nearest rival Tasmania, which has a game in hand.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.