New South Wales batsmen Phil Jaques and Dominic Thornely scored half-centuries as the Blues made 298 in their first innings on day one of the Pura Cup match against South Australia at Adelaide Oval.

At stumps, the Redbacks were 2-23 in reply, with the early wickets no doubt sending tremors through the SA line-up, which was bowled out for a paltry 29 at the SCG in the first innings the last time these two sides met.

Paceman Matthew Nicholson had 2-4, after dismissing both openers - Tom Plant bowled for a duck and Luke Williams (14) caught in close on the legside.

Greg Blewett was unbeaten on four, after being dropped on two by keeper Brad Haddin off Nathan Bracken, with nightwatchman Dan Cullen yet to score.

Opener Jaques' free-flowing innings of 82 was the highlight of the day for NSW.

It came from 125 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes, one a cut shot over point off paceman Ryan Harris and the other a swept six over mid-wicket from off-spinner Cullen which rolled out of the Victor Richardson Gates.

He had a life on 82, when he defended a Harris ball, which spun off the pitch back onto his off-stump, but did not dislodge the bails.

He was out four balls later, with Harris running him out from point, after Thornely dabbed the ball on the off-side and set off for a single that was never on.

Thornely and Jaques shared an 83-run stand for the third wicket off 113 balls which was the brightest period of the Blues' innings, including 55 runs in the first 10 overs after lunch, before Jaques' dismissal.

Thornely went on to make 74 from 112 balls, with 10 fours, most of them cover drives.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP