Forrest and Hughes guide powerful baby Blues

New South Wales 5 for 372 (Hughes 170*, Forrest 135) lead South Australia 313 by 59 runs
Scorecard

Phillip Hughes and Peter Forrest, two of the so-called "baby Blues", posted impressive centuries to hand New South Wales first-innings points as they dominated South Australia on the second day. The 253-run stand between the two was finally broken when Forrest was run out for 135 but Hughes continued unimpeded and finished the day unbeaten on 170.

It was his highest first-class score and his second century - the first came in last summer's Pura Cup final victory. At the close he was batting with Grant Lambert, who had 19, and New South Wales had extended their lead to 59.

The powerful Hughes-Forrest partnership was an indication of the depth of talent in New South Wales, a team that this season has lost top-order men Simon Katich, Brad Haddin and Phil Jaques to the Test squad. The youthful New South Wales batting line-up this summer will rely heavily on Hughes, 19, and Forrest, 22.

The men came together in the second over of the innings after Greg Mail was run out for 2. They batted through until after tea as South Australia's attack failed to have any impact. Even Shaun Tait, who destroyed the Blues in a one-day game on Wednesday, had no answers and it took another mix-up between the wickets before Forrest finally departed.

Dan Cullen was costly - his 11 overs conceded 65 - and both centurions enjoyed reaching their milestones off his bowling; Forrest with a boundary through midwicket and Hughes with an all-run four. The Redbacks fought back with four wickets in the final session but with Hughes still at the crease having batted the whole day, the third morning could provide some more headaches for South Australia.