A disciplined bowling performance by NSW has left Tasmania struggling at 6-165 in their Sheffield Shield match against the Blues at Bankstown Oval in Sydney.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Tasmania have lost three wickets in each session with spin duo Steve O’Keefe (2-37) and Nathan Lyon (2-45) the chief destroyers on a slow wicket.

No.3 Jordan Silk top-scored for Tasmania and looked in fine touch only to be dismissed by the final delivery of the opening session from Lyon for 54.

Former Australia Test opener Ed Cowan made 32 but, aside from his 84-run partnership with Silk, Tasmania have lost wickets at regular intervals.

Currently at the crease are Ben Dunk (26) and all-rounder Clive Rose (5).

NSW skipper Moises Henriques was a late withdrawal from the match due to a groin injury with middle-order batsman Ben Rohrer coming into the side, and wicketkeeper-batsman Peter Nevill assuming the captaincy.

NSW likely need a win in the penultimate round match if they are to stay in touch with frontrunners Western Australia and Victoria and maintain their hopes of a spot in the Shield final.