New South Wales 64 and 215 for 2 (Larkin 103, Henriques 75*) lead Tasmania 239 (Silk 106, Abbott 4-33)

Nick Larkin's fourth Sheffield Shield century helped dig New South Wales out of a huge hole against Tasmania after a fine hundred from Jordan Silk had given the Tigers a sizeable first-innings lead.

New South Wales began their second innings on the second day 175 runs behind after Silk ground out his seventh first-class hundred against a quality Blues attack, with Sean Abbott continuing to make a case for a call-up to the Test squad taking 4 for 33.

Larkin lost his opening partner Daniel Hughes in the first over with Jackson Bird claiming his fifth wicket of the match. Bird broke through again in the ninth over of his opening spell to remove Kurtis Patterson, also caught behind, to leave the Blues staring at an innings defeat inside two days.

But Larkin and Moises Henriques dug in producing an unbeaten 172-run partnership to guide New South Wales to stumps with a lead of 40 and eight wickets still intact.

Larkin scored freely throughout the day making his fastest first-class century. Henriques continued the excellent form that has seen him called up to Australia's ODI and T20 squads, reaching 75 not out.

Earlier, Silk was the only Tasmanian batsman to pass 25 in an innings of typical doggedness and grit. He lost partners at regular intervals including Test captain Tim Paine, who fell to a loose shot off Nathan Lyon. Silk was the second last man out for 106, with 15 boundaries, having absorbed 264 balls.