ADELAIDE, Oct 26 AAP - South Australian skipper Darren Lehmann missed a chance to impress Test selectors as New South Wales took a firm grasp on its Pura Cup match at Adelaide Oval at stumps on day two today.

In reply to NSW's first innings 6 (dec)-474, SA was 8-219 at stumps, trailing on the first innings by 255 runs and needing another 106 runs to avoid the follow on.

Only a defiant 93-run eighth wicket stand between Shane Deitz, who was out on the last ball of the day for 33, and John Davison, saved the Redbacks from being dismissed inside two sessions.

Davison was unbeaten on 58 off just 50 balls at stumps. His first half-century at first-class level sparkled with six boundaries and three sixes - one each off Don Nash, Stuart Clark and Stuart MacGill.

Earlier, former Test opener Michael Slater returned to top form as he built on his overnight score of 111 to record 177 runs in the Blues' first innings.

He put on a sixth wicket stand of 148 with Brad Haddin (78 not out from 98 balls) in today's opening session, before being bowled by SA part-time medium pacer Ben Johnson on the last ball before lunch, prompting the NSW declaration.

SA was in trouble early with openers Johnson (four) and David Fitzgerald (seven) both falling cheaply.

Lehmann and Greg Blewett were thrust into the familiar role of trying to rescue the team, managing a 61-run partnership before Haddin took a sharp catch off MacGill to dismiss Blewett (31).

Lehmann had the ideal chance to build a big score and impress selectors on a placid pitch, with plenty of time to bat.

But he did little to help his Test prospects, being dropped twice before being caught in the gully off Nathan Bracken's bowling for 45.

He said he was not feeling affected by the speculation he could be about to replace Mark Waugh in the Test side.

"If they do make a change and I get picked or someone else gets picked, Mark Waugh I'm sure will wish them the best, and if Mark gets picked we all wish him the best to do well," Lehmann said.

"It's just normal isn't it, it sells papers, it sells news, it's just the way it is these days.

"I felt pretty good considering I haven't played any cricket for a month, it would have been nice to get a big score though, that's what we really needed as a side, so it was disappointing to get a start and not go on with it."

SA at one stage slumped to 7-126, with Bracken the best of the bowlers, finishing the day with 3-47 from 19 overs.

But Davison's late heroics at least saved the Redbacks from complete embarrassment.

"We always knew he could bat, but we needed a partnership then just to stop the rot and get some momentum back, so it's good that we ended up at least over 200," Lehmann said.

© 2002 AAP

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