Blues fight, but Redbacks in command

New South Wales 217 (Nevill 82, George 5-36) and 2 for 194 (Maddinson 77, Hughes 61) trail South Australia 9 for 478 dec by 67 runs
Scorecard

The young openers Nic Maddinson and Phillip Hughes gave New South Wales hope of avoiding defeat at the Adelaide Oval, but South Australia will still fancy their chances of victory with one day remaining. At stumps on the third day, the Blues were 2 for 194 having followed on, and they needed another 67 runs to make the Redbacks bat again.

Usman Khawaja was at the crease on 28 and Simon Katich had 19, after Maddinson and Hughes both fell following their strong opening stand of 130. Both men had been fortunate, Maddinson dropped at slip by Tom Cooper before he had scored, and Hughes lucky not to be lbw to Nathan Lyon on 17.

They chipped away at the South Australian lead, which stood at 261 runs after the Blues were dismissed in their first innings, but both men departed after reaching their half-centuries. On 77, Maddinson was bowled by Gary Putland, who had found some reverse swing, and Hughes was lbw trying to sweep Lyon on 61.

Earlier in the day, the wicketkeeper Peter Nevill showed some impressive resolve for New South Wales; having started the morning on 25, he went on to score 82. But having closed the second day on 7 for 133, the Blues were never in the hunt for first-innings points. Peter George didn't add to his tally of five wickets, and finished with 5 for 36.