Daniel Hughes and Nic Maddinson have put on a season-high partnership for NSW, who have made light work of a challenging target to collect a crucial six-wicket win over Queensland in Sydney.
Set 283 to win, the Blues' in-form openers batted confidently at Drummoyne Oval on Friday under lights and were rarely troubled in putting on a run-a-ball 192 for the first wicket.
Defending one-day cup champions NSW eventually reached 4-283 from 48.5 overs to go past Queensland's 7-282.
Hughes continued a stellar run of form with an imperious innings of 122 from 137 balls, including four sixes, equalling his career-best score and becoming the highest scorer in this season's competition.
"We always thought we were a chance chasing under lights," said Hughes.
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"The ball tends to skid on here and, judging by the last few overs, 280 was probably about par."
Maddinson also kept the scorecard ticking over, clearing the fence five times in a knock of 86 from 89, although he did survive a close shave on 55 as a ball bounced onto the stumps without dislodging the bails.
Hughes and Maddinson set a new highest partnership for any wicket in this season's competition.
Earlier, Usman Khawaja looked in sparkling early-season form with a classy 138 against an attack that featured Australian teammates Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon.
Starc bowled with good pace and rhythm to take 1-16 in his opening five-over spell before returning 3-48.
Lyon opened the bowling and took the early wicket of Matt Renshaw (4) in a 10-over spell of 1-36.
NSW moved into second with the win to edge closer to a spot in next week's three-team finals series. Defeat for Queensland effectively ends their finals hopes.
"If we beat the Vics on Sunday, we will be in (the finals). It will be a tough game, but we prefer it that way than having to wait on other results," Hughes said.
