Rain wrecks NSW's hopes

New South Wales 6 for 125 (M Waugh 18*, Nicholson 7*) trail Queensland 5 for 431 dec (Maher 116, Law 146*) by 306 runs
Scorecard

New South Wales's hopes of defending their Pura Cup title disappeared down the Gabba plughole, as rain and bad light ruined the third day of their vital clash with Queensland. In that time, however, they still managed to lose two more wickets, including Steve Waugh for 8. When Aaron O'Brien followed for a fourth-ball duck, NSW were still 320 runs drift, and staring into the abyss.

With NSW needing six outright points to stay alive in the competition, they will have to rely on some enterprising captaincy on the final day. It is possible that they might declare overnight in the hope Queensland will not enforce the follow-on and set up a last-day run-chase.