Hughes smashes career-best 152 as Blues claim first win of the season

A superb career-best 152 from Daniel Hughes has helped New South Wales to their first win of the Marsh Cup, thumping Western Australia by 77 runs at Drummoyne Oval.

Hughes struck 13 fours and four sixes and combined in two century stands with Moises Henriques and Matthew Gilkes. The latter made his first List A half-century finishing with 82 off 51 balls, as the home side piled up 6 for 348 after being sent in to bat.

WA chased with purpose while Josh Philippe and Hilton Cartwright produced rollicking half-centuries, but that came either side of a collapse that ultimately derailed the visitors. WA lost 5 for 33 in six overs having reached 0 for 70 in less than 12 overs, with Harry Conway striking three times.

It was Hughes' second century in four days against WA and his fifth overall for NSW. He equalled the NSW record for the most in Australia's 50-over domestic competition joining an elite group that includes Steve Waugh, current NSW coach Phil Jaques, Brad Haddin and Nic Maddinson.

Hughes put on 64 for the opening wicket with Jack Edwards and then 116 with Henriques. He did receive some help from WA during that partnership. Philippe dropped a regulation outside edge off Mitch Marsh when Hughes was on 78. He survived a run out chance and a huge lbw shout on 89 off Nathan Coulter-Nile.

Once he reached his century he was able to cut loose. Gilkes eased any scoring pressure by thumping 50 off 38 balls during a rapid 105-run stand. AJ Tye and Jhye Richardson came in for specific treatment although Tye did nab three wickets including Hughes for 152. Gilkes fell in the second last over for 82. New South Wales made 189 from the last 20 overs of the innings.

Philippe was intent on mowing down the huge total racing to 64 in 50 balls with seven boundaries and three sixes. But he was one of three very soft dismissals to Conway that triggered the mini-collapse. He pulled a ball straight down fine leg's throat shortly after D'Arcy Short had chipped one to mid-off. Mitchell Marsh made it a trifecta next ball, dragging a checked drive to midwicket only for Edwards to take a spectacular one-handed catch.

Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Bancroft fell cheaply leaving WA with too much to do. Cartwright was slow to get started but flourished thereafter smashing 74 from 68 balls with five fours and three huge sixes. His innings ensured the Blues wouldn't claim the bonus point but he fell trying to reverse-sweep Arjun Nair who also finished with three wickets.

New South Wales climb off the bottom of the table while WA remain in second place behind Queensland following their first defeat of the season.