Davies, Henriques rescue NSW from Shield peril at SCG

Some middle-order resistance has helped NSW fight back on a rain-interrupted opening day of their Marsh Sheffield Shield clash with ladder-leaders Tasmania.

In-form young gun Ollie Davies's unbeaten 58 from No.6 pushed the Blues to 7-178 at stumps at the SCG on Tuesday.

While nowhere near a defendable total, NSW will be happy with the response after they were left reeling at 3-26 in tricky batting conditions under grey skies.

Stumps were called after 52 overs as umpires halted play due to bad light.

Tasmania quick Lawrence Neil-Smith (5-44) snared his second first-class five-wicket haul, vindicating the Tigers' decision to bowl first after winning the toss.

Missing several players to Australia T20 duties in India, NSW decided to blood teenage talent Sam Konstas for his first-class debut.

The 18-year-old was presented with his NSW cap by former Australia allrounder Shane Watson before walking out to bat at No.3.

Konstas made 10 in tough conditions before falling to Tasmanian allrounder Beau Webster.

NSW captain Moises Henriques (54) helped steer the Blues out of trouble, combining with Davies for a vital 81-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Test spinner Nathan Lyon was back in the NSW team after being rested for the Blues' thumping defeat by Tasmania in Hobart last week.

Lyon is working his way back to full fitness after tearing his calf during the Ashes.

NSW will be determined to put on a stack of runs when play resumes on Wednesday morning, with Tasmania's batting line-up having been in scintillating touch to start the season.

Sheffield Shield 2023-24 standings

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Drawn D	No results N/R	Deductions Ded.	Batting Bonus Bat	Bowling Bonus Bowl	Total points PTS
1 Western Australia Men WA	10	5	2	3	0	0	5.53	9.4	47.93
2 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	10	5	2	3	0	0	6.06	8.3	47.36
3 NSW Men NSW	10	4	3	3	0	0	6.31	9	42.31
4 Victoria Men VIC	10	4	4	2	0	0	4.74	8.2	38.94
5 South Australia Men SA	10	3	6	1	0	0	5.19	9.3	33.49
6 Queensland Bulls QLD	10	2	6	2	0	0	3.54	8.3	25.84

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

D: Drawn

N/R: No results

Ded.: Deductions

Bat: Batting Bonus

Bowl: Bowling Bonus

PTS: Total points