A blistering century from Usman Khawaja in trying conditions has helped New South Wales to a strong position at stumps on day one of the Sheffield Shield clash against South Australia at the SCG.
Having arrived at the crease with his side in deep trouble following the early loss of both openers and skipper Simon Katich, the 23-year-old belted 16 boundaries on the way to a classy 102 and his third first-class ton of the season.
Khawaja's 164-run partnership with Peter Forrest (78) resurrected the Blues innings after Katich bravely opted to bat in overcast conditions.
Both men fell either side of tea and the Redbacks threatened to finish the day on top but boom all-rounder Steve Smith picked up where he left off against Tasmania last week, belting an unbeaten half-century to guide the hosts to 5-332 at the close of play.
Smith, who was named in Australia's 14-man squad for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand during the lunch break, will resume his innings on Thursday morning needing a further 28 runs for his fourth first-class century of the season, with Peter Nevill (32) the other not-out batsman.
Having batted within himself at the start of his innings, Smith put on a breathtaking display of power hitting late in the day to finish with 10 boundaries and one six.
Paceman Peter George (2-84) was the pick of the bowlers early in the day but was on the receiving end of some lusty late hitting from the talented 20-year-old, while Mark Cleary (2-49) also made a valuable contribution with the ball.
Forrest was the only man to fall in a final session dominated by the Blues when he was caught behind by Tim Ludeman off Cleary's bowling shortly after a 20-minute interval due to bad light.
Having dominated the hosts in the morning session, the Redbacks soon found themselves chasing leather as the Blues added 155 runs in the extended two and a half hour session.
Khawaja was given a life with his score on 64 when Mark Cosgrove grassed a tough chance at second slip off the bowling of George, and the diminutive left-hander made the most of the let-off.
The 23-year-old, who has managed 698 runs at an average of 63 this season, eventually fell just prior to tea when he edged a fine delivery from Dan Christian (1-74) to Ludeman.
George made best use of the conditions, removing Hughes (17) and Katich (zero) in a blistering opening spell under lights on a grey Sydney day.
When Cleary removed Phil Jaques for 26 soon after, the Blues appeared in desperate trouble before Khawaja and Forrest steadied.
George should have removed Jaques with the fifth delivery of the day but the lanky paceman was unable to hold a return catch which would have sent the former Test opener back to the pavilion without scoring.
In contrast, Hughes began confidently, striking three early boundaries before he edged a top-class delivery from George to Ludeman behind the stumps.
Katich, who was rested from the Blues' previous match against Tasmania, lasted just seven deliveries before falling in almost identical fashion to Hughes without scoring.
New South Wales 1st innings
Jaques c O'Brien b Cleary 26
Hughes c Ludeman b George 17
Katich c Ludeman b George 0
Khawaja c Ludeman b Christian 102
Forrest c Ludeman b Cleary 78
Smith not out 72
Nevill not out 32
Extras: 5 (5lb,)
Total: 332 (5 wickets; 89 overs)
FOW: 1-31, 2-33, 3-43, 4-207, 5-245,
Bowling
George 27- 8 - 84 - 2
Putland 13 - 1 - 74 - 0
Cleary 20 - 6 - 49 - 2
Christian 18- 2 - 74 - 1
Cosgrove 1 - 0 - 5 - 0
O'Brien 6 - 1 - 34 - 0