Bevan leads Blues with stunning double ton

SYDNEY, Nov 9 AAP - Michael Bevan marked his 100th first class cricket match for New South Wales with a stunning double century to steer his side to a commanding lead over Tasmania in their Pura Cup encounter at the SCG today.

At stumps on day two, the Blues held a lead of 236 runs after closing its first innings at 8(dec)-437 with Bevan unbeaten on 201.

Adding to the Tigers' woes, NSW paceman Brett Lee, who took five wickets to restrict Tasmania to just 171 in the first innings, struck again.

In the third over of Tasmania's second innings, Lee had Michael DiVenuto caught by Stuart MacGill for just eight, leaving the visitors rattled on 1-30 at the close of play.

Jamie Cox was unbeaten on 11 and Michael Dighton was on 10.

Having revealed last week he'd shelved hopes of a Test recall, Bevan let loose today.

On the way to his mammoth score, the 32-year-old who played his last Test against South Africa in Sydney in 1997-98, brought up his 23rd century at the SCG, passing the ground record of 22 held jointly by Sir Donald Bradman and Alan Kippax.

Bevan was in fine touch as he plundered the Tasmanian attack, his score coming off 378 balls and including 29 fours and two sixes.

For a while he was well supported by Brad Haddin, with the pair putting on a 112-run partnership before Haddin was caught by Cox at mid on when he mistimed a pull shot off a Shane Watson delivery.

Watson, the pick of the Tasmanian bowlers with 4-85, had just taken over from teammate Gerard Denton, who broke down midway through his run-up on the second ball of his 20th over with an apparent hamstring injury and left the field.

The Blues had resumed at 2-130 with Bevan on 48.

Michael Clarke, after his third century in three Pura Cup games, added just one to his overnight score before he was caught behind by Sean Clingeleffer off Watson for 45 in the fourth over of the day.

NSW skipper Simon Katich (37) and Bevan put on 72 runs together before Katich spooned an easy catch to DiVenuto at second slip off Shane Jurgensen shortly before the lunch break.

Mark Waugh managed just 31 before he hit Damien Wright straight to Dighton for an easy catch at cover.