Kurtis Patterson scored his second first-class century but rain has hampered NSW efforts to press their advantage in the Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at the SCG.

When bad weather prompted officials to call an early lunch on day three, NSW were 3-274 with Patterson and Ryan Carters both on 120 not out.

The Blues passed Queensland’s total of 268 during the shortened opening session.

After resuming on 89, Patterson signalled his intentions on the first ball of the day when he drove Cameron Boyce down the ground for four.

He brought up his century in the third over of the day, his ton coming off 168 balls.

With NSW in control of the game, Queensland were dealt another blow when pacemen Ben Cutting and Luke Feldman did not take the field.

Queensland said neither would bowl on day three, with Cutting suffering a groin strain and Feldman suffering general tightness.

The Bulls were awaiting scan results on both.

The day’s play was delayed an hour and 45 minutes in the morning because of persistent rain around Sydney.

The players were on the pitch for just 50 minutes before bad weather moved in again and an early lunch was called.