New South Wales meekly collapsed on day three to all but hand South Australia top spot in the Sheffield Shield at the SCG.

The Blues were skittled by a Gary Putland-inspired attack for a miserable 148 in their second innings, setting a meagre target of 96, with South Australia to resume their innings on Wednesday at 0-0.

Ben Rohrer produced one of the few fighting efforts for NSW before getting a questionable lbw decision to be out for 40.

South Australia had cruised to first-innings points on day three when their tail wagged – their final five wickets adding 151 to help them post 426 for a 53-run lead.

Led by Putland (4-35), South Australia made short work of the Blues’ top order to have the home side struggling at 3-27 by tea.

A rearguard action from allrounder Sean Abbott (27), Steve O’Keefe (15) and debutant Manjot Singh (19) ensured play would advance to a fourth day.

Elsewhere, Tasmania collapsed again to be all out for 165, handing Western Australia an outright victory late on day three of their match at Bellerive.

The Warriors won by 84 runs, Michael Hogan clean-bowling three of the Tigers’ tail to claim 5-37 and lead his side to their second outright victory of the season.

Only Alex Doolan (75) looked like getting Tasmania near their target of 250, set when WA were dismissed for 187 in their second innings.

Shield champs Tasmania have suffered three outright losses in their past four games and head into the Big Bash League break with their title defence in disarray.

The Tigers have failed to pass 200 in their past three innings, making 164 against NSW last match and 196 in the first innings against WA.

They were 7-41 in the first innings against the Warriors before allrounders Evan Gulbis and Luke Butterworth saved them with a partnership of 145.

And opener Joe Burns’ century has put Queensland in control of their clash with Victoria at the Gabba.

At stumps on day three, the Bulls are 2-208, holding an overall lead of 219 after Burns was dismissed for an impressive 102.

Stumps were called when Burns offered a difficult return catch to Bushrangers keeper Matthew Wade who was rewarded for his unusual decision to bowl the last over of the day.

Burns – who hit 75 in the first dig – cut a devastated figure after hoping to survive the day, only to have his three-and-a-half hour innings that featured 11 fours and two sixes end.

Burns had put on a 193-run opening stand with Luke Pomersbach who was caught behind by Wade off Scott Boland (1-47) for 85 – backing up from his first innings 73.

Burns and Pomersbach put on 131 for the first wicket in the opening innings.

Earlier a late collapse ensured Victoria were bowled out for 371 to just miss out on first innings points.