Spinners did the damage for NSW as Tasmania were bowled out for just 237 in their Sheffield Shield match at Bankstown Oval in Sydney.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Tasmania’s batsmen struggled to build individual scores with spin duo Steve O’Keefe (3-37) and Nathan Lyon (3-70) 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, caught behind off the bowling of Lyon for 54.

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

It could have been even worse for Tasmania but Andrew Fekete (19 not out) and Jackson Bird (20) combined for a 42-run stand for the final wicket.

In reply, the Blues reached 0-4 after facing two overs at the end of the day.

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.