Nathan Bracken inflicted the ultimate humiliation on South Australia by nonchalantly hitting a six to single-handedly beat the Redbacks' first innings total after Phil Jaques had cracked a double century on day two of the Pura Cup match at the SCG.

NSW elder statesman Stuart MacGill took two wickets in an over after tea to have the Blues hurtling towards an outright victory. The hapless visitors will resume on Saturday on 3-123 - still 278 runs behind and still licking their wounds.

Bracken, having taken 7-4 in SA's diabolical first effort of 29, strode to the crease and belted 34 runs courtesy of five fours and two sixes. His second six, pulled high over mid-wicket off medium-pacer Mark Cleary, moved him from 27 to 33 and prompted a round of sarcastic applause and laughter from those in the crowd.

SA's players hung their heads in shame.

NSW captain Brad Haddin declared on 9-430 but blew the chance to spark another SA collapse by dropping Tom Plant from the third ball of the visitors' innings. Matthew Nicholson enticed a thickish outside edge from the tentative SA opener but the ball squeezed out of a diving Haddin's right glove as he hit the turf.

It could have been 1-1 and in their fragile state of mind, the Redbacks could have capitulated all over again. They did lose 3-7 at one stage before limping to stumps.

Jaques recorded his third first-class double ton, and first for NSW, with a dashing 430-minute, 340-ball innings highlighted by 30 fours and a six. He put on 231 runs with allrounder Dominic Thornely, who made 78.

Haddin's quickfire 32 and Bracken's cameo pushed the Blues into the impregnable position of a 400-run first innings lead.

SA speedster Shaun Tait finished with 4-137 from 34 overs. On paper his four wickets looked respectable but they all came towards the end of the NSW innings when his side's cause had already been lost.

MacGill made the first breakthrough when he had former Test opener Greg Blewett LBW for 11, followed by Mark Cosgrove who completed a pair by giving a snick to Matthew Phelps at first slip.

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