Captain Moises Henriques started NSW's domestic one-day cup campaign in style, hitting an unbeaten 164 on Friday against the Cricket Australia XI in Sydney before the Blues secured a nail-biting four-run win.
After losing the toss and being sent in to bat at Hurstville Oval, the Blues made a slow start losing Ed Cowan (3) and Nic Maddinson (8) early.
Coming to the crease at 2-17, Henriques regained control of the match from the young CA XI bowlers.
Henriques hit 17 fours and four sixes during his 135-ball innings, at one point sending a ball into a front yard across the road from the suburban ground.
He was helped by Kurtis Patterson (79), Daniel Hughes (32) and Peter Nevill (30) as the Blues posted 6-328 from their 50 overs.
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Ryan Gibson, a NSW product playing for the CA XI, frustrated his Blues teammates with a classy innings in the run chase.
Gibson, who scored a century in his cup debut, almost reached the milestone again.
The Penrith Cricket Club batsman hit an impressive 97 in 104 balls with nine fours and three sixes before he was bowled by Pat Cummins.
While expensive, Cummins bowled well in his return to List A cricket, taking 4-70 and at one point was on a hat-trick.
As well as Gibson's wicket, he also claimed the dangerous Will Bosisto (75) and Sam Harper (0) in consecutive deliveries.
With the match coming down to the final over, Gurinder Sandhu bowled tightly to restrict the big-hitting Matt Short (47no) with CA reaching 6-324 from their 50 overs.
In their next match, the Blues play Tasmania on Sunday at the same venue.
