Phelps and Thornely put NSW in command

New South Wales 4 for 363 (Phelps 133, Thornely 107*) v Tasmania
Scorecard

Matthew Phelps hit his fourth Pura Cup hundred on day one as NSW took charge at the SCG © Getty Images

Fine hundreds from Matthew Phelps (133) and Dominic Thornely (107*) put New South Wales in a commanding position at the end of the first day of their Pura Cup match against Tasmania at the SCG. NSW were 4 for 363 at stumps, with only Adam Griffith, with 3 for 89, standing out for Tasmania on a lifeless pitch.

Phelps began the day with a fine selection of shots on either side of the wicket, with 23 fours and a six as he dominated every Tasmanian bowler. After the early loss of Phil Jaques for 21, caught behind off the bowling of Adam Griffith, NSW were bolstered by a 110-run partnership between Phelps and Simon Katich, their captain.

Katich has been in top form for NSW with scores of 144 and 79 not out and his 60 today was a continuation of his fine run. His dismissal, again to the impressive Griffith, with the score on 138, did little to bring Tasmania back into the game.

Phelps finally fell to a miscued sweep shot in Xavier Doherty's second over after tea, but Thornely kept up his team's strangehold over Tasmania by remaining unbeaten on 107 from 173 balls with 14 fours and one six.