NSW moved to the top of the Pura Cup ladder by taking first-innings points against Queensland on a gloomy, wet and windy third day of the battle of the competition heavyweights at Bankstown Oval.

With play disrupted twice by the kind of constant drizzle normally reserved for English county grounds, the Blues dismissed Queensland for 259 to take the two points and a 207-run lead on the first innings.

Captain Brad Haddin declined to enforce the follow-on.

The Blues were 2-47 when bad light stopped play with 19 overs remaining. There were few complaints from anyone at being allowed to go home early. A minimum 112 overs will be bowled on Monday, weather permitting.

"It's been a frustrating day with the weather," said Haddin, indicating NSW would push for an outright win despite running the risk of handing back the Cup lead.

"There's a lot of cricket to be played. We just want to see how the weather holds up. If we get some showers early it might push us into declaring early.

"We've always played to win and I don't think tomorrow's situation is going to be any different. Ideally we'd like six points but we'll have to see how the weather goes and what happens in the first session."

The only downside for NSW was a hip injury to allrounder Dominic Thornely that kept him off the field all day.

NSW opener Phil Jaques, coming off his 240 not out, made a second-ball duck to go from hero to zero in one fell swoop and Matthew Phelps also fell quickly, departing for nine to leave his side 2-19 and at some small risk of letting the Bulls back into the game.

But Greg Mail delivered a patient 16 and youngster Ed Cowan (17 not out), overcoming an understandably nervous start in his second Pura Cup game, saw off Andy Bichel's probing opening spell and the testing conditions to get the Blues back on track.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP