Gearing up for a golden summer in Wollongong, the Futures League match is a test run for February’s Sheffield Shield clash between NSW and Tasmania.

As part of his management program, on the comeback from ongoing back problems which have restricted to just one Test in 2011, Cummins did not bowl on Tuesday. “It’s a really good wicket, it’s got a bit of pace in it,” Cummins said. 

ACT were bowled out just before lunch on day two for 419, with captain John Rogers top scoring with 93. No.8 Tom Rogers blasted 82 off 113 balls, including a six to bring up his half-century, handing NSW a sizable chase.

The Blues outfit was handed a further blow when Nick Larkin was bowled before lunch, then ex-Test opener Ed Cowan was dismissed soon after.

In a bumper schedule, Dalton Park will host a Twenty20 double-header next month, with Illawarra taking on North Sydney and Manly as part of the Sydney competition. 

Wollongong will also host the men’s and women’s Australian Country Championships, starting January 3, after the South Coast held the NSW Country titles last week. The Shield match begins on February 25.

NSW batsman Ryan Gibson (80) tried to hold the innings together, but the Blues limped to 9-175 at stumps.

The Blues are set to be without a number of stars for the second innings, as they join the Sheffield Shield match in Tasmania, starting Saturday.