11/03/2010 12:21 PM
Centuries to Steve Smith and Peter Nevill have left NSW in a dominant position at lunch on day two of its Sheffield Shield clash against South Australia at the SCG.
The Blues are 7-522 with Stuart Clark (9) and Steve O'Keefe (77) the not out batsmen.
Smith boosted his chances of playing for Australia in the upcoming Test series in New Zealand after hammering an even ton, while Nevill was dismissed for 105 after posting his maiden first class century.
Smith started the day on 77 and wasted no time racing to triple figures inside the first half hour of play.
He was out two balls after reaching his hundred, top edging to keeper Tim Ludeman after going down on one knee and attempting to slog Peter George over mid-wicket.
His entertaining knock lasted just 126 balls and contained 17 fours and a six.
Nevill's innings was also a gem, the keeper-batsman cracking 15 boundaries and a six in his 225-minute stay.
He was caught behind off Gary Putland (1-121) shortly before lunch.
Nevill and Smith put on 134 for the sixth wicket as the Blues racked up 190 runs in an extended first session.
The lion-hearted George has three wickets to his name, while Ludeman has claimed six catches behind the stumps in the only bright spots for the Redbacks.
A blistering century from Usman Khawaja in trying conditions helped NSW into a strong position at stumps on day one.
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 from a perilous 3-43 after Katich bravely opted to bat in overcast conditions.
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 c Ludeman b George 100
Nevill c Ludeman b Putland 105
O'keefe not out 77
Clark not out 9
Extras: 8 (6lb, 2w)
Total: 552 (7 wickets; 129 overs)
FOW: 1-31, 2-33, 3-43, 4-207, 5-245, 6-379, 7-511
Bowling
George 33-9-115-3
Putland 21-1-121–1 (1w)
Cleary 25-7-71-2
Christian 24-2-101–1 (1w)
Cosgrove 1-0-5-0
O'Brien 25-3-103-0