Injury-plagued quick Daniel Worrall's Ashes hopes have been rocked as NSW close in on victory in their Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia at the SCG.
With Worrall out of the Redbacks' attack because of a back injury, the Blues built a 161-run first-innings lead before declaring at 8-541 late on day three.
The Blues had six overs at South Australian openers Jake Weatherald (5 not out) and Conor McInerney (11 not out) but couldn't land a breakthrough with the visitors to resume on Monday at 0-18 and still trailing by 143 runs.
Blues openers Daniel Hughes and Nick Larkin both made tons while Moises Henriques fell agonisingly short of triple figures.
Allrounder Henriques was caught and bowled by part-timer McInerney for 99 (from 119 balls) on the stroke of tea trying to dance down the pitch and bring up his ton.
The home side lost Hughes (134) and Larkin (109) in the opening session, but that didn't halt their progress as they passed South Australia's first-innings total of 380 after lunch.
Skipper Peter Nevill (57) and Jason Sangha (37) made handy contributions as the Blues put their foot down late in the day.
"It was a bit disappointing, I left a few out there," Hughes said.
"There was probably a big double ton to be had. All the accolades need to go to Moises - 99 off pretty much a run-a-ball on that wicket, in the circumstances of the game, it really set it up for us."
Worrall did not bowl during the Blues' innings on Sunday after suffering a recurrence of a back problem late on day two, but the SACA did not release any information on his condition.
After missing five months earlier in the year, it shapes as a big blow to his chances of being on the plane to England next year.
Worrall was forced to return home early from an English county stint in June because of a fractured foot, before missing South Australia's one-day cup campaign and their opening three Shield matches because of back soreness.
He made a spectacular return last month, taking 10 wickets against Western Australia before claiming seven scalps against Tasmania.
Known to be well-liked by Australian selectors, he would have been considered for a spot in the expanded national squad for the Adelaide Test had he been able to get more cricket under his belt earlier in the season.
"It's unfortunate for him. He's just come back from a back injury," Hughes said.
"He's been bowling really well and I actually don't like facing him, he's very skilful."
