Test hopefuls Phil Hughes and Phil Jaques have both failed to post the big scores needed to attract the interest of national selectors, falling either side of tea as NSW finished the third day of its Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia at 2-151.
Both batsmen made starts in reply to WA's 8 (dec) 499 - Hughes reached 32 and Jaques 40 – but didn't go on with the job on a gloomy day at the SCG.
Bad light stopped play at 5.45pm with Simon Katich (48) and Usman Khawaja (25) the not out batsmen.
The two openers looked fairly comfortable early, putting on 71 for the first wicket before Hughes' innings came to an end.
The left-hander caught a thick outside edge after driving at a ball from Ashley Noffke (1-27), presenting a sharp catch to Theo Doropoulos in the gully.
Hughes' head dropped as soon as he realised he had blown a good start and a terrific opportunity to post a decent total.
His dig lasted 91 minutes and contained four boundaries.
Jaques was on 40 at tea but failed to add to his score after the resumption.
He lent back to a wide ball from spinner Josh Mangan (1-38) but smashed his cut shot to substitute fieldsman Brad Knowles at gully.
He had looked solid in reaching 40 from 74 balls during his two hours in the middle.
Both Jaques and Hughes are fighting to regain their Test spots this summer after relinquishing their positions over the past 12 months.
NSW could easily have been three wickets down, Katich lucky to survive after being caught off a Noffke no ball when on three.
The hosts had to wait until midway through the third day to make their way to the crease following a series of frustrating rain delays.
Morning showers kept the players off the ground until 2.15pm, with the Warriors declaring at their overnight score.