Test discard Phil Hughes fell short of a much-needed first-class century, but might have given selectors an indication that he’s on the comeback following a disastrous 2011.

In tricky conditions on Thursday, Hughes set the tone early with aggressive strokeplay on a green-top to score a valuable 73 for NSW in their Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at the SCG.

NSW, coming off a humiliating innings loss to Western Australia by an innings and 323 runs last week, built around Hughes to reach 4-207 before rain ended the day’s play with 29 overs remaining.

With a century beckoning, Hughes, who struck 15 boundaries in the 121-ball knock, was trapped lbw by Steve Magoffin (1-36).

And while it was the first step on the road to redemption for the left-hander, another Blue struggling for form, Brad Haddin, looks far less certain of himself despite being 10 not out at stumps.

Allrounder Steve Smith (40 not out) is the other unbeaten batsman.

It was a horror day in the field for Queensland’s Chris Lynn, who dropped Hughes on four in the third over of the match and Haddin on two, both off the bowling of Test quick Ryan Harris.

Harris (3-69) was easily the pick of the bowlers, bouncing back from being dropped from Australia’s one-day team this week with a day of high-quality fast bowling to remove Nic Maddinson (13), Usman Khawaja (15) and Simon Katich (42).

Katich was also the beneficiary of sloppy fielding when he was dropped in the gully by Ben Cutting off the bowling of Bulls skipper James Hopes just five runs into his innings.

Second-placed Queensland will be desperate for the rain to stay away for the remaining three days of the match – a win against the fifth-placed NSW would put them in the box seat for a spot in the final.

The Bulls (30 points) are two points clear of Tasmania and six ahead of Victoria, with a further game to play, but can ill afford to drop points.

Western Australia lead the competition on 32 points.