New South Wales took complete command of their Pura Cup match against Tasmania at Sydney. After piling up a mammoth 9 for 522 in their first innings, they reduced Tasmania to 6 for 189. Despite Sean Clingeleffer's valiant unbeaten 83, Tasmania were in danger of being forced to follow on.
Matthew Nicholson struck the early blows, dismissing the openers Michael Di Venuto, caught at gully for a duck in the first over, and Jamie Cox, edging to slips. Nathan Bracken, the left-arm swing bowler who was left out of the Test side, then got into the act trapping David Dawson for 9 and having George Bailey caught at short leg for a duck. Four for 23 soon turned 5 for 37 when Shannon Tubb edged behind off Stuart Clark for 8.
At this point it seemed Tasmania would fold without a fight but Travis Birt and Clingeleffer put up a defiant act. The duo stitched together a fighting 126-run partnership in 116 minutes from 179 balls to take the score to 163 before Birt fell to Steve O'Keefe. He had faced 112 balls and hit four sixes and four fours in his 62.
Earlier Brad Haddin, the NSW wicketkeeper, hit a breezy 65 off 77 balls, while Nicholson and Clark added a quick 32 off 5.3 overs for the last wicket to take them to 522, allowing Simon Katich, the captain, to declare soon after lunch. Adam Griffith removed the centurion Dominic Thornely (123) to finish with the figures of 4 for 124.