It was meant to be all about the return of Test fast bowler Pat Cummins but instead New South Wales rookie Jack Edwards stole the show as the Blues belatedly found their one-day cup form with a six-wicket win over Queensland at Drummoyne Oval.
Edwards (116 off 112 balls) and Moises Henriques (134 not out off 134) put on a batting masterclass under lights on Monday to pilot NSW to 4-300 and victory with 26 balls remaining.
The 18-year-old Edwards became the youngest centurion in the 50-season history of the one-day cup eclipsing the previous mark set by 19-year-old Chris Davies for South Australia in 1998.
Edwards and Henriques added 237 and fell just short of the NSW record of 240 for the third wicket set by Steve and Mark Waugh in 1992.
NSW were in trouble early at 2-17 but the NSW duo looked comfortable in keeping up with the required run-rate of six an over throughout, eventually passing their respective hundreds in consecutive balls.
The partnership came to an end with Edwards caught off the bowling of part-timer Charlie Hemphrey.
"To get a hundred and hopefully contribute to a win was pretty special and I will remember it for a while," said Edwards.
Queensland batsman Chris Lynn displayed his one-day credentials ahead of next year's World Cup with a big-hitting 135 off 113 balls as the visitors posted a competitive 296.
Lynn eventually fell to Test paceman Cummins on his return after a six-month injury lay-off with a back complaint.
Cummins bowled with good pace but his lone wicket cost 54 runs from nine overs.
Fellow Test quick Josh Hazlewood sat out the match but is expected to line-up for the Blues in their qualifying final against Victoria on Thursday.
Rookie spinner Chris Green was the pick of the Blues' bowlers with career-best figures of 5-53.
Queensland will face South Australia in the other qualifying final on Wednesday.
ONE-DAY CUP FINALS FIXTURES
South Australia v Queensland
(Qualifying Final)
Wednesday, 3 October 2018
North Sydney Oval
2:00PM
Victoria v New South Wales
(Qualifying Final)
Thursday, 4 October 2018
Drummoyne Oval
2:00PM
Tasmania v South Australia /Queensland
(Semi-Final)
Saturday, 6 October 2018
Drummoyne Oval
2:00PM
Western Australia v Victoria / New South Wales
(Semi-Final)
Sunday, 7 October 2018
Junction Oval, St Kilda
10:30AM
Wednesday, 10 October 2018
Final
Junction Oval, St Kilda
10:30AM
