Blues chase 343 for victory

New South Wales 6 for 314 dec (Mail 141, Haddin 66) and 0 for 5 need a further 338 runs to beat South Australia 7 for 541 dec and 3 for 115 dec
Scorecard
Pura Cup table

Sporting declarations by rival captains Brad Haddin and Darren Lehmann set up a tantalising finish to the Pura Cup game between New South Wales and South Australia at Adelaide. NSW declared on 6 for 314 at tea, 227 runs in arrears, and then Lehmann responded positively by declaring just before close of play, setting a target of 343. The Blues reached 0 for 5 at stumps, still needing 338 runs off a minimum of 96 overs on the final day.

Daniel Harris top scored with 36 as the Redbacks lost three wickets en route to 115 in 27.5 overs before Lehmann called the close. NSW's first innings was propelled by a patient century from Greg Mail and a solid half-century from Haddin. Mail, resuming on 35, was more aggressive today, racking up 104 runs in 176 balls. He was ably assisted by Haddin and the duo brought up their century stand just before lunch.

However, Haddin fell upon the resumption, trapped in front by Jason Gillespie, and Corey Richards was the next to go, undone by the offspinner Daniel Cullen. But Mail pressed on, reaching his fourth hundred against South Australia and the seventh of his career before he perished, caught at midwicket off Cullen Bailey in the penultimate over before tea.

Both teams will start the final day with a realistic chance of gaining the maximum six points needed to have a hope of playing in the final against Queensland at Brisbane. But with a dodgy weather forecasted, the elements might play spoilsport.