NSW have had their revival in the Sheffield Shield with Queensland stymied by a careless runout on the opening day at the SCG.
After Queensland’s seamers cashed in on favourable conditions to reduce the Blues to 2-25, the home team rallied with a 115-run partnership.
The Blues were 3-140 when bad light forced players from the field shortly before tea.
The worse news for the visiting side is they may be without Matthew Gale (1-5) for the rest of the match after the veteran paceman had scans on a right knee injury.
On a green-tinged deck under overcast skies, it was tough work for batsmen but Ben Rohrer looked a class above batting alongside youngster Ryan Carters (56no).
The 32-year-old Rohrer, recalled after missing last week’s 150-run victory over the Bulls, raced to 61 off 93 balls.
He should have been stumped off Nathan Hauritz when on 58, but wicketkeeper Chris Hartley made a meal of the attempt.
Hauritz got his man soon after though, throwing down the stumps while fielding at mid-wicket.
Hauritz (0-34 off 13) has looked impressive, drawing serious turn from a seam-friendly wicket.
Carters, backing up an impressive 96 playing for an invitational XI against England last week, has looked stoic during a lengthy stint at the crease.
He survived a testing opening hour, as James Hopes (0-26) and Gale made the most of the conditions.
But the wind was taken out of Queensland’s sails when Gale left the field midway through his fourth over.
The 28-year-old couldn’t complete his runup, struggling to put weight on his right leg – and, after a short consultation with the physio, left the field for scans.
Michael Neser (1-44) grabbed the second wicket of the morning when he drew Scott Henry (10) into a streaky drive which was well caught low by Cameron Boyce in the gully.