Maddinson, Copeland tons give NSW lead

Nic Maddinson scored a career-best 154 and Trent Copeland made his maiden first-class century to secure first-innings points for New South Wales in a high-scoring battle with Tasmania in Hobart. The Blues were eventually dismissed for 500 and at the close of play a draw was looming with the Tigers on 1 for 30 in their second innings, still trailing by 45 runs with Mark Cosgrove on 10 and Alex Doolan on 20.

Doug Bollinger had trapped Ben Dunk lbw for a golden duck and it was one of ten wickets to fall throughout the day after New South Wales resumed in the morning at 1 for 145. Luke Butterworth moved to the top of the Sheffield Shield wicket tally for this summer with 5 for 83 - his season has now produced 30 victims at 17.53 - but he and his colleagues were unable to prevent the Blues passing Tasmania's 425.

Maddinson and Copeland combined for a 188-run sixth-wicket partnership, reminiscent of the hefty stand between Ricky Ponting and Jason Krejza for Tasmania across the first two days of the game. Maddinson had struggled for runs this season and brought up his third first-class hundred, while Copeland, who had a previous highest score of 55, managed 106 before he was lbw to Krejza.