SYDNEY, Nov 16 AAP - Steve Waugh hit back at his critics ahead of next week's second Ashes Test with a spirited century for NSW but he still handed first innings points to South Australia in the Pura Cup cricket match at the SCG today.

Waugh's dismissal after a confident 135 prompted the Blues and Australian Test skipper to close the NSW first innings at 9(dec)-296, well short of the SA's 397.

Another strong performance from Brett Lee then helped skittle the Redbacks for 181 in their second innings.

After an outstanding third day in which 18 wickets fell and 404 runs were scored, NSW went to stumps at 2-11 needing another 272 runs to win with Michael Slater four not out.

When Waugh reached his ton, an announcement came over the loud speakers that the canteen was giving away 100 free Drumstick ice creams to celebrate, scattering a large portion of the 2,144-strong crowd.

His highest score against SA came off 199 balls, including 13 fours and four sixes, and was a welcome return to form after disappointing scores of seven and 12 in the first Ashes Test.

He put on a solid 85-run stand in an hour for the ninth wicket with Nathan Bracken before he sent a top edge off paceman Paul Rofe to David Fitzgerald who ran from first slip to third man to take the catch, leaving Bracken not out 27.

"I've been reading that a few people think I'm past my best and I'm certainly not past my best," Waugh said.

"I think I can get better. People want to read into a lot of things.

"When you're not scoring well, all of a sudden you've lost and you can't play well anymore. It would be good for some people to show a bit of faith."

John Davison rewarded the Redbacks for his recruitment from Victoria in the off season with a career-best 5-81 to help contain the home side.

The Canadian-born spinner, who helped the country of his birth qualify for next year's World Cup, added to his one wicket from one over yesterday when Mark Waugh (one) scooped him straight to Ben Higgins at short leg for the easiest of catches.

Three overs later, Nathan Pilon swept Davison to Mark Harrity at deep backward square leg to be dismissed for six and, two balls after that, Davison bowled Lee for no score.

When Don Nash (10) was caught by Higgins, again at short leg, Davison had his first bag of five wickets.

Lee, who took 10 wickets in last week's win over Tasmania, again unleashed his firepower, bettering the feat by adding four wickets to his seven from SA's first innings.

Lee shared the spoils with legspinner Stuart MacGill, who took 3-4 in eight balls, including two in his first over, before finishing with 3-51.

Quick Bracken also chipped in with 3-45, including the important wicket of former NSW representative Mark Higgs, who looked dangerous with 70 before he was bowled.

Paul Rofe trapped Matthew Phelps (four) lbw in the first over of the Blues' second dig and Ryan Harris dismissed night watchman Bracken in the same fashion for three with the last ball of the day.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.