The finest of Hughes’s career demonstrates New South Wales solid foundation

New South Wales 3 for 272 vs Tasmania (Hughes 153*, Patterson 56)

Daniel Hughes, a veteran opener for New South Wales, produced his best first-class score with an unbroken 153 to support one of his team’s few successful Sheffield Shield batting attempts this season.

The left-hander surpassed his previous best score of 136 with 17 fours as New South Wales made 3 for 272 at the SCG after winning the toss.

Daniel Hughes eighth century in first-class cricket was only the second by a New South Wales batsman in the Shield this season, following Kurt Patterson’s 122. He participated in three strong partnerships against a Tasmanian attack that bowled neatly but was unable to take wickets in clusters.

Daniel Hughes and Patterson scored 129 runs after an opening stand of 58 between Hughes and Blake Nikitaras, who was beautifully caught at slip by Tasmania skipper Jordan Silk for 16.

Hughes, who turns 34 on Thursday, put up 54 runs with Moises Henriques (24) before the latter was bowled by Jarrod Freeman after advancing the pitch.

Between Freeman and Tom Andrews, Tasmania bowled almost 60 overs of spin. Tim Paine, the wicketkeeper for Tasmania, caught Patterson to dismiss him.

NSW is currently dead last in the Shield standings and fired coach Phil Jaques late last year.

Adam Zampa, who expressed his displeasure at missing the India Test tour, has been added to the home side.