Rain slows Queensland's push for victory

New South Wales 210 and 3 for 138 (Henriques 36*) trail Queensland 354 by 6 runs
Scorecard

New South Wales crawled to within six runs of making Queensland bat again on rain-shortened third day at the SCG. At stumps the Blues were on 3 for 138 with Moises Henriques on 36 and Daniel Smith on 24 but they were far from safe from defeat and will need to bat out several hours on the final day to reach a secure position.

The Blues resumed at 0 for 27 but the wet weather meant play could not begin until 1.50pm, ten minutes after the end of the scheduled lunch break. When there was finally some action it was in name only - New South Wales added 50 runs from 37 in the post-lunch session for the loss of two wickets.

Phillip Hughes reached 22 before he was the first man out, lbw to Chris Swan, and Usman Khawaja laboured for 91 balls in posting 28. When Khawaja edged to slip off Ryan Harris the Blues were 2 for 58 but a change in tactics was not yet forthcoming as Ed Cowan and Henriques continued the go-slow.

Cowan gave the Queensland captain Chris Simpson his second wicket of the season when he was caught behind for a 98-ball 21. Finally a lift in tempo arrived with Smith, who clubbed a pair of sixes in his 12-delivery stay, but the Blues still have plenty of work to do to avoid the second loss of their campaign.