Injury-ravaged Daniel Worrall's Ashes hopes have been rocked as NSW took a 161-run first-innings lead on day three of their Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia at the SCG.
With Worrall out of the Redbacks' attack because of a back injury, NSW took the game by the scruff of the neck on Sunday before declaring at 8-541 during the third session.
Worrall did not bowl during the Blues' innings on day three after suffering a recurrence of a back problem, however it isn't clear how serious the injury is.
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 Australian squad for the Adelaide Test had he been able to get more cricket under his belt earlier in the season.
Four years ago, Worrall was suspended for scratching a lewd image into a pitch during a Futures League match however has rebuilt his reputation since then.
NSW built a healthy lead thanks to centuries to openers Daniel Hughes and Nick Larkin while Moises Henriques fell agonisingly short of triple figures.
Blues allrounder Henriques was caught and bowled by part-timer Conor McInerney for 99 on the stroke of tea trying to dance down the pitch and bring up his ton, and the third hundred of NSW's innings.
The home side lost Hughes (134) and Larkin (109) in the opening session, however that didn't halt their progress as they took a first-innings lead after lunch.
Skipper Peter Nevill (57) and Jason Sangha (37) made handy contributions as the Blues put their foot down late in the day.
Australian Associated Press
