NSW have made a solid start in reply to Tasmania’s Ricky Ponting-inspired first-innings total of 6(dec)-425 at tea on day two of the Sheffield Shield match at Bellerive.
The Blues reached the break unscathed at 0-55 after Ponting’s unbeaten 200 allowed the home side to declare shortly after lunch.
Scott Henry was unbeaten on 27 and David Dawson 26.
Returning Test paceman Ben Hilfenhaus had 0-13 from five overs in his comeback from a side strain.
Ponting notched his third Shield double century with Jason Krejza making 118 not out, the pair having put on 293 to rescue the Tigers from a precarious 6-132.
Ponting reached his double century when he pushed Blues quick Trent Copeland to the off-side for a single and celebrated by raising his bat and helmet to the sky and embracing Krejza.
Josh Hazlewood finished the best of the Blues bowlers with 3-76 but the visitors went wicketless on day two after Tasmania resumed at 6-310.
Ponting’s chanceless knock included 27 fours and a six.
The 38-year-old and No.8 Krejza produced a Tasmanian record for the seventh wicket, bettering the 215 set by Michael Bevan and Damien Wright in 2004.
Krejza notched his first Shield and second first-class ton with 11 fours and a six to help Ponting grind the Blues attack down.
Ponting, who passed 150 with consecutive boundaries off Copeland, has amassed 555 runs in his five Shield matches this season at a staggering average of 185.
Krejza made 101 not out for Australia A against Pakistan A in Townsville in 2009.