Adam Lucius, North Sydney Oval
Some lusty hitting from all-rounder Steve Smith has helped lift NSW to a competitive 8-271 from its 50 overs in the Ford Ranger Cup clash against Tasmania at North Sydney Oval.
The Blues were struggling at 5-108 before Smith bludgeoned 81 from just 59 balls to almost single-handedly rescue his side's innings.
Late cameos from speedsters Stuart Clark (14 not out from 12 balls) and Brett Lee (19 not out from 13) pushed the Blues well past 250.
Smith thoroughly entertained the healthy crowd, peppering the tiny ground's grandstands with five sixes and seven fours.
The youngster clubbed five successive fours off Brendan Drew's final over, taking his score from 59 to 80 in just six balls.
Smith was eventually out in the 46th over, bowled by Brett Geeves (2-59) as he attempted to paddle the ball down to fine leg.
Smith and skipper Simon Katich combined for an 83-run partnership for the sixth wicket after the Blues had been in deep trouble at 5-108.
Katich, dropped on eight, contributed a steady 34, with Phil Hughes (30) the only other batsman to get past the 20s.
Earlier, Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke was run out for eight in his comeback match as NSW struggled to 3-94 after 25 overs.
Making his return from a back injury after three months out, Clarke pushed a ball to mid-off and called for a quick single, only to be beaten by a direct hit from former team-mate Ed Cowan.
A decision was referred to the third umpire, who ruled Clarke's bat was on the crease when the wicket was broken.
The Test star had earlier survived two confident appeals – one for caught behind and the other lbw – as he made a cautious return to top level cricket.
Both decisions went Clarke's way but his luck ran out in the 20th over.
Dave Warner (36) followed soon after, flicking at a delivery outside off stump from Luke Butterworth (1-47) and presenting keeper Travis Burt with a simple catch.
Phil Jaques looked in good touch, reaching 18 from 22 balls before being caught behind off Drew (3-56).
His dismissal brought Brad Haddin to the crease, but the Australian gloveman's stay was cut short by a spectacular diving catch on the boundary by Cowan.
The former New South Welshman made plenty of ground to his right from long off before launching himself Superman-style at the ball and holding on for a brilliant snare.
That left the home side in deep trouble at 5-108, but Smith and Katich ensured the NSW bowling attack, led by Lee, would have a substantial total to defend.
New South Wales
Hughes lbw Drew 30 (49)
Warner c Birt b Butterworth 36 (58)
Clarke run out (Cowan) 8 (23)
Haddin c Cowan b Doherty 13 (25)
Jaques c Birt b Drew 18 (22)
Katich c Butterworth b Drew 34 (33)
Smith b Geeves 81 (59)
O'Keefe c Lockyear b Geeves 12 (8)
Lee not out 19 (14)
Clark not out 14 (12)
Extras: 6 (2b, 1lb, 1nb, 2w)
Total: 271 (8 wickets, 50 overs)
FOW: 1-55, 2-67, 3-83, 4-106, 5-108, 6-191, 7-234, 8-236
Bowling
Geeves 10 – 0 – 59 - 2 (1nb, 1w)
Krejza 8 – 1 – 25 - 0
Drew 10 – 0 – 56 - 3
Faulkner 6 – 0 – 36 - 0 (1w)
Butterworth 9 – 0 - 47 – 1
Doherty 7 – 0 – 45 - 1