Tasmania 117 for 2 (Doolan 54, Copeland 2-35) trail New South Wales 375 all out (Larkin 67, Hughes 61, Bird 3-85) by 258 runs

Matthew Wade and Alex Doolan have the chance to help Tasmania derail New South Wales in their bid to make the Sheffield Shield final after making promising inroads in reply to the Blues' first innings tally on day two at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.

The visitors posted 375 on a rain-interrupted day after Sean Abbott had guided the NSW tail to the addition of 64 runs for the final two wickets, frustrating the Tigers in the process.

However the Blues pacemen were stunted in their efforts to burrow into the Tasmanian batting order as Doolan and Wade, their state's two leading run-scorers this season, worked at establishing a key partnership.

Progress was slow, but it was clear that Wade and Doolan were seeking to establish a platform to be exploited on day three, with Ben McDermott and Tim Paine still to come. NSW must win outright to be sure of their place in the decider, which will be hosted by Victoria.