New South Wales 279 & 3-360 dec (Larkin 175*, Hughes 116, Swepson 2-116) lead Queensland 260 & 2 for 51 (Burns 37*, Hazlewood 1-8) by 328 runs

A brilliant 258-run opening stand between Nick Larkin and Daniel Hughes and an aggressive declaration has put New South Wales in the box seat at stumps on day three against Queensland in Canberra.

Larkin and Hughes both made centuries to the put Blues in a position to declare late on day three to set the Bulls 380 to win.

Larkin made his second first-class hundred and his highest first-class score. He faced 290 balls and struck 23 boundaries to finish with 175 not out. Hughes made his fourth first-class hundred, scoring 116 before the partnership was finally broken by Mitchell Swepson right at the stroke of tea.

The Blues came out swinging after the break piling on another 102 runs before declaring with 15 overs remaining in the day.

The move paid dividends immediately with Josh Hazlewood claiming Matt Renshaw caught behind for just 6. Renshaw was given out attempting to cut a ball that bounced a little higher than he anticipated and was visibly displeased with the decision.

Marnus Labuschagne fell in the next over caught down the leg side for 4, glancing a swinging ball from Mitchell Starc.

Joe Burns played positively in the final hour moving swiftly to 37 not out from 49 balls with five fours as Queensland reached stumps with eight wickets in hand still needing 329 on the final day for an unlikely victory.