Adelaide: Rising batting star Michael Clarke and former Test opener Michael Slater hit centuries to get New South Wales (NSW) away to a strong start in its Sheffield Shield match with South Australia on Friday.

NSW was 326 for five at the close on day one with Clarke slamming 129 and Slater an unbeaten 111 to share in a 214-run fifth-wicket stand.

The partnership was broken on the last ball of the day when off spinner John Davison had Clarke stumped by wicket-keeper Shane Deitz.

Openers Matthew Phelps (22), and Corey Richards (16), as well as Michael Bevan (15), were all dismissed in the opening session to leave NSW at 85 for three at lunch.

NSW skipper Simon Katich (27) was caught at backward point early in the second session from a top-edged cut shot from Davison's bowling, to leave NSW at 112 for four.

But 21-year-old Clarke, who has now scored centuries in his last two Shield innings, and a determined Slater, batting at No.6 in his first state match for the year, pounded the bowling at a fast clip to put NSW in command. Davison finished the day with 2-72.