Haddin's century revives Blues

Day one New South Wales 7 for 302 (Haddin 114, Henriques 83*, Smith 64, Bird 3-59) v Tasmania
Scorecard

Brad Haddin's courageous century lifted New South Wales to 7 for 302 after a horrid start in the Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at Bankstown Oval.

His efforts also staked a persuasive claim for Haddin to re-take the gloves for Australia in the first Test against South Africa at the Gabba in November.

Having won the toss, the Blues were floundering at 3 for 7 and still battling at 4 for 64 when Haddin walked to the wicket, and he responded with an innings that was first circumspect then increasingly brazen in a restorative partnership of 60 with Steve Smith and a flourishing union of 168 with Moises Henriques.

Haddin's 114 was his first century since the first Test of the 2010-11 Ashes series at the Gabba, and was made all the more admirable for the fact that in 2012 he has been torn between the demands of cricket and the desire to care for his seriously ill daughter, Mia.

It was for this reason that Haddin left the West Indies tour in abrupt circumstances earlier this year, leaving Matthew Wade to keep wicket during three Caribbean Tests.

However Haddin returned to training with NSW in the winter, and took his place as a Cricket Australia contracted player at the pre-season camp in Darwin in August.

Smith was fluent for his 64 until he fell victim to Haddin's penchant for the drive, a straight hit brushing the arm of the left-armer James Faulkner and clattering into the stumps with Smith backing up out of his crease.

Henriques maintained the strong form he had shown for NSW in their season-opening wins over Western Australia in Perth, and will hope to go on to a century with the help of the tail on day two.

Tasmania's bowlers had forced the necessity of the Blues' middle order recovery by bowling intelligently to exploit any early movement in the air and off the seam. Jackson Bird nipped out Peter Nevill and Nic Maddinson - caught by Ricky Ponting - while Luke Butterworth accounted for Scott Henry.

Michael Clarke, captain of NSW and Australia and a strong supporter of Haddin, made 37 before he played across a delivery from Adam Maher and had middle stump knocked back.