Tasmania stage fightback against NSW

Sydney:Rookies George Bailey and David Dawson rescued Tasmania on the opening day of their Sheffield Shield cricket match against New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Tasmania went into the four-day game with three of their most experienced batsmen -- Jamie Cox, Michael Di Venuto and Dan Marsh -- out through injuries but ended the day on 266 for seven.

Acting captain Damien Wright was on 38 and Xavier Doherty was on 13 at stumps.

Bailey, in his first-class debut, made 70 off 105 balls with 11 fours after Tasmania had slipped to 122 for five just before tea.

Opener Dawson, in his fifth first-class match, made 65.

For NSW, former Test leg-spinner Stuart MacGill took 3-83, left-arm medium pacer Nathan Bracken 2-30 and off-spinner Jason Krejza 2-63.

Michael Bevan's return to his old home ground turned into an anti-climax when he was out for 21, caught by MacGill off Krejza.