Carters ton lifts NSW at the SCG

After walking to the crease with a heavy heart, Ryan Carters lifted the NSW Blues’ spirits with a memorable century during their Bupa Sheffield Shield clash against the my FootDr Queensland Bulls at the SCG.

The Blues were in a commanding position at 3-234 after day two, 34 runs short of Queensland's first-innings total.

After starting the day on seven, Carters played a patient knock, reaching his ton off 262 balls.

While Queensland made in-roads with two wickets in the first session, the 24-year-old Canberra product and Kurtis Patterson (89 not out) put NSW on top with a 156-run partnership.

The Blues had a tumultuous preparation as they dealt with the death of former teammate Phillip Hughes after his on-field accident at the SCG a fortnight ago.

While Carters said he never considered pulling out of the match, many of his teammates struggled with their emotions, and he strode to the crease wanting to do justice to the occasion.

"For all of us it was an emotional day and we walked out there with heavy hearts," he said.

"But also a lot of respect for what we're doing and a lot of love and pride in the NSW Blues cap ... I was feeling inspired and ready to go, for sure.

"This is a special match and we want to go out there and play really well for the full four days."

Queensland will be sick of the sight of Carters after he put the Bulls to the sword in the corresponding game at the SCG last year when he made 154 and 67 in a man-of-the-match performance.

At the time he was in the midst of a purple patch as he went to end the 2013-14 season as the competition's third highest run scorer with 861 at an average of 53.81 and earn the Blues' Shield player of the year award.

He also averaged 60.5 during this year's domestic one-day cup.

After working their way into the game with two wickets before lunch, the Bulls failed to take a wicket in the final 56 overs of the day.

Queensland captain James Hopes, after being his side's top scorer, has been their best performer with the ball as well, taking 2-42.

Leg-spinner Cameron Boyce bowled well, but was only rewarded with the one wicket, that of nightwatchman Will Somerville.

Boyce bowled Somerville around his legs three overs after it appeared he had been dismissed by rookie spinner Cameron Brimblecombe.

Somerville was caught at cover however he was called back by the umpires after it was deemed the ball had cannoned off the helmet of the silly mid-off fielder making it a dead ball.