SYDNEY, Sept 7 AAP - Centuries to Graeme Cunningham and Luke Williams gave Tasmania the upper hand after day one of their two-day practice cricket match against New South Wales here today.

Cunningham hit 113 and Williams 110 before both retired as Tasmania moved to 6-376 off its allotted 100 overs in the match.

Williams came to the crease with Tasmania reeling at 1-0 after Shane Mason was dismissed for a duck but combined with Cunningham in an impressive 198-run second wicket stand.

George Bailey (50) and Daniel Marsh (47) lent a helping hand as Tasmania took early honours in the 100 overs a side pre-season clash which caps off a busy week for the two teams.

Aaron O'Brien took 2-48 off nine overs to be the pick of the bowlers for NSW which is skippered by former Test opener Michael Slater.

Both teams have lost two one day games against New Zealand in Sydney this week as the Black Caps finetuned preparations for its ICC Challenge Trophy title defence in Sri Lanka this month.

New Zealand flew out today for Sri Lanka.

© 2002 AAP

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