Blues on top despite Burns ton

Queensland face a significant challenge if they are to save the match against NSW, despite a gritty century from Joe Burns on day three of the Sheffield Shield match at the SCG.

The Bulls blew a promising start to end the day at 8-341, still 262 runs shy of NSW's mammoth 6(dec)-603.

Will Somerville was the difference for the Blues, with the off-spinner returning career-best figures of 6-108 from 39 overs.

Just short of midway through his fourth match of the season, Somerville now has 23 wickets at the impressive average of 17.69.

After recommencing at 0-85, the visitors put on 140 for the opening wicket, with former Blues opener Peter Forrest the first man out for 79.

Somerville made a double breakthrough just before tea, dismissing Sam Heazlett for 42 and Sam Truloff for a duck as Queensland's resistance started to faulter.

Fellow opener Burns continued what was dour resistance at times, top-scoring with 108 off 261 balls before being bowled by Somerville.

Wicketkeeper Chris Hartley ended the day on 40, with Mark Steketee on 12.

NSW's massive first innings total was set-up by a 391-run fifth-wicket partnership on Saturday between Moises Henriques, who scored 265, and wicketkeeper Peter Nevill, who was on 143 not out.

A win for either side would catapult them into second place on the Sheffield Shield ladder following South Australia's 124-run defeat against Victoria in Adelaide.Image Id: http://mandrillapp.com/track/open.php?u=30532276&id=7ce474b4805343a084b6942a018d96d7

NSW XI: Daniel Hughes, Nick Larkin, Ed Cowan, Kurtis Patterson, Moises Henriques, Peter Nevill, Arjun Nair, Trent Copeland, Sean Abbott, Will Somerville, Doug Bollinger

Queensland XI: Joe Burns, Peter Forrest, Marnus Labuschagne, Seam Heazlett, Sam Truloff, Jack Wildermuth, Chris Hartley, Michael Neser, Jason Floros, Mark Steketee, Peter George