Two quick wickets have allowed New South Wales to grab the early ascendancy in their crucial Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania in Sydney.

After winning the toss, Tasmania were in a strong position at 1-88 until spin duo Steve O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon took two wickets without addition to the score, reducing the visitors to 3-88 at lunch at Bankstown Oval.

No.3 batsman Jordan Silk looked in fine touch only to be dismissed by the final delivery of the session from Lyon for 54.

Three overs earlier former Test opener Ed Cowan was dismissed for 32 when caught in the deep off O’Keefe.

Opener Dom Michael (1) was run out earlier in the session.

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.