SYDNEY, Nov 8 AAP - Brett Lee overcame a tentative start to spring back from his Test axing with five wickets, guiding New South Wales into a strong position on the opening day of the Pura Cup clash with Tasmania at the Sydney Cricket Ground today.

The dumped Australian paceman combined with fellow Test discard Stuart MacGill to demolish the Tigers' batting line-up for a paltry 171 runs before tea.

At stumps, the Blues were 2-130 in reply with Michael Bevan unbeaten on 48 in his 100th first class match for NSW and Michael Clarke not out 44.

After an erratic first session, in which he took 1-40 from nine overs, Lee, who turned 26 today, found his rhythm after the lunch break.

Lee went into the match with something to prove after being sacked ahead of the Ashes opener in Brisbane.

His first victim had been Tigers opener Michael DiVenuto (21), brilliantly caught behind by Brad Haddin. DiVenuto attempted to hook a rising short ball but it popped up into the air finding Haddin's glove as he leapt high at full stretch to his right.

After lunch, Lee then had Shane Watson (29) caught by Mark Waugh at second slip as the batsman drove at a ball outside off stump.

In his following over, Lee trapped Damien Marsh and Graeme Cunningham lbw for ducks with successive balls.

MacGill bowled five maidens on the trot before taking the first of his four wickets.

The legspinner put paid to Michael Dighton's lone attempt to show some fight for the Tigers when he had the former West Australian caught by Matthew Phelps for 62.

MacGill struck again in his next over when he had Damien Wright out lbw for six not offering a shot, and Shannon Tubb sent a catch to Michael Clarke just behind point.

Lee chimed in with his fifth wicket when he bowled Gerard Denton (two) and missed a chance to take a sixth when he spilled a difficult caught and bowled opportunity off Sean Clingeleffer with the Tigers 9-167, leaving him with figures of 5-63 off 18 overs.

Clingeleffer did not add to his score and remained not out 13 while Lee took a catch off MacGill's bowling to dismiss the last batsman, Shane Jurgensen (four).

The Blues, fielding arguably their best side during a Test match for a long time, faltered in their chase when Michael Slater (15) was trapped lbw by Denton in the 10th over of the innings.

Fellow opener Phelps followed, lbw for 14 on the last ball of Shane Watson's first over.

© 2002 AAP

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