ADELAIDE, Oct 26 AAP - New South Wales leg-spinner Stuart MacGill picked up a crucial wicket before tea today to leave South Australia struggling at 3-81 in its first innings.

MacGill had Greg Blewett caught for 31 late in the second session after he and SA skipper Darren Lehmann put on a 61-run partnership on day two of the Pura Cup match at Adelaide Oval.

The Blues declared their first innings at 6-474 at lunch after former Test opener Michael Slater top-scored with 177.

The Redbacks were immediately under pressure in reply, with openers Ben Johnson (four) and David Fitzgerald (seven) both falling cheaply.

Stuart Clark picked up both their wickets, having Johnson caught behind after an attempted pull shot caught his glove and ballooned to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

He then trapped Fitzgerald lbw, after Fitzgerald had looked extremely uncomfortable in his short stay at the crease.

Lehmann and Blewett were then thrust into the familiar role of trying to rescue their team from early trouble.

They took 15 overs to make 61 and were looking comfortable until Haddin took a sharp catch from Blewett (31), who got a thin bottom edge to a cut shot close to his body off a delivery which kept low.

Lehmann, looking to post a big score to boost his chances of Ashes Test selection, was unbeaten on 34 from 44 balls and looking in increasingly good form after a scratchy start to his innings.

Mark Higgs was with him at the crease but yet to score.

Clark had the figures of 2-26, from 10 overs, at tea, and MacGill had 1-23 from three overs.

© 2002 AAP

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