Young NSW batsman Michael Clarke will be aiming to score a century and lead his team to first innings points after a counter-punching partnership with Brad Haddin revived his team's fortunes against South Australia today.

The Blues finished day two of the Pura Cup cricket match at Adelaide Oval on 6-275, needing another 85 runs to take first innings points, with former Australian under-19 captain Clarke unbeaten on 94 and Don Nash on six.

"Anyone who gets into the 90s wants to make 100 but that's the least of my worries, we're just looking to pass SA's score," Clarke said at the close of play today.

In reply to SA's 9(dec)-359, Clarke and Haddin came together with the score at 5-151 and NSW still in some danger of failing to reach the 210 needed to avoid the follow-on.

But an aggressive Haddin scored 55 in 61 balls, in an innings that included six boundaries and a six, before being caught at deep cover attempting to loft another boundary from leg-spinner Peter McIntyre.

Clarke and Haddin shared a hard-hitting sixth-wicket stand of 110 in 89 minutes to take NSW to 6-261.

Clarke's 217-minute innings included 15 boundaries and he said the partnership with Haddin was enjoyable.

"Brad was hitting the ball very well, I've opened with him in some of the one-day matches and he communicates well, he's good to bat with," Clarke said.

He said a declaration some time tomorrow morning was likely if the Blues could overtake SA's total.

Opener Brett van Deinsen was also aggressive in his innings earlier in the day, hitting 11 boundaries and a six in his innings of 60.

But Michael Slater, demoted to No.3 in the batting order, continued his shocking run of form, managing just 10 runs in an unusually subdued 46-minute innings before being trapped lbw attempting to pull Paul Rofe.

McIntyre and Rofe each finished the day with two wickets.

Earlier, SA all-rounder Bradley Young scored his highest first-class score of 122 before SA declared its first innings, with NSW left arm paceman Nathan Bracken taking four wickets.

© 2002 AAP