Hughes' career-best gives New South Wales strong platform

Veteran New South Wales opener Daniel Hughes made his highest first-class score with an unbeaten 153 to underpin one of his team's few good Sheffield Shield batting efforts this season.

The left-hander eclipsed his previous best score of 136, notching 17 fours, as NSW made 3 for 272 after winning the toss at the SCG.

Hughes's ton, the eighth of his first-class career, was only the second from a NSW batter in the Shield this season, following 122 from Kurtis Patterson. He featured in three solid partnerships against a Tasmanian attack that bowled tidily but couldn't get wickets in clumps.

Hughes added 129 with Patterson after an opening stand off 58 with Blake Nikitaras, who was brilliantly caught at slip by Tasmania captain Jordan Silk for 16.

Hughes, who turns 34 on Thursday, put on 54 with Moises Henriques (24), who was bowled by Jarrod Freeman after advancing down the pitch.

Tasmania bowled close to 60 overs of spin between Freeman and Tom Andrews. Tim Paine was behind the stumps for Tasmania and took the catch to remove Patterson.

NSW are currently a distant bottom in the Shield table and sacked coach Phil Jaques late last year.

Adam Zampa, who has expressed his disappointment at missing the Test tour of India, has been included for the home side.