NSW believe they can turn around a disastrous opening day against Sheffield Shield whipping boys Tasmania in Wollongong, with the visitors 213 runs in arrears with all 10 wickets in hand.
Only a defiant century from Ed Cowan saved NSW's blushes, with the former Test opener hitting a confident 115 in challenging batting conditions at North Dalton Park.
The Blues were dismissed for 253 against the competition's bottom side, who reached 0-40 in reply.
"The ball has swung all day and we should be buoyed by that," Cowan said.
"Tonight we maybe tried too hard to get a breakthrough.
"It is a good wicket but there is plenty there for the bowlers if they stick the ball in the right areas for long enough.
"We were disappointed to be 4-200 at tea, and we then lost 6-50."
Cowan shared a crucial 119-run stand with Moises Henriques (47) for the fourth wicket, after the Blues had been reduced to 3-59.
Cowan scored a double century earlier this month against Shield leaders Victoria and, despite a duck recently against Queensland, Cowan now has 586 runs for the Blues this season at an average of 58.6.
The former Tasmanian batsman says missing the mid-season Big Bash provided the chance to refresh.
"My red ball cricket has fallen away in the past few years after Christmas," Cowan said.
"I felt like there was a nice period during the Big Bash to take a step back and work on a few things technically and it has paid off, so I'm very happy with where my game is at.
"It was nice to take some time off, freshen up and find some rhythm, and it has paid off."
Cowan was eventually the eighth wicket to fall, caught off the bowling of Simon Milenko.
Tasmania sent NSW in to bat under leaden skies, in the first Shield match to be played at the venue.
Milenko returned the best figures (4-60), while Sam Rainbird (2-34), James Faulkner (2-45) and Andrew Perrin (2-27) were also among the wickets.
Tasmania batted with relative comfort under lights at the end of the day with Alex Doolan (21 not out) and Jake Hancock (18 not out) at the crease.
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