Cowan has been criticised at times for his slow, cautious approach, but as NSW lost two early wickets against Queensland on day two of their Sheffield Shield match at the SCG, caution and control was needed more than ever.

Eventually dismissed on 90 after a stunning catch from Marnus Labuschagne, Cowan was the star for NSW as they piled on the runs against the Bulls.

With wickets falling at a whim in Adelaide, Cowan and Nic Maddinson (84 not out) both staked their claim for a deserved call-up to the Test side as NSW reached 4-226 approaching stumps.

The Blues came out in the morning session with a mission to dismiss Queensland as quickly as possible. Doug Bollinger nabbed nightwatchman Jack Wildermuth in the first over, before Cowan came up with the goods to run out danger man Jason Flores, after a mix-up attempting a second run.

From that point it was a formality, as NSW dismissed the Bulls for 259. Flores top scored for the Bulls with 82.

NSW's best bowler was Steve O'Keefe with 3-56, after narrowly missing a Test start in Adelaide two days ago.

The only downside for the Blues came when captain Moises Henriques limped off after failing to complete his over. After three failed attempts, he went back to the sheds where a left calf injury was confirmed. He will need scans on Sunday to determine the extent of the injury, and if he'll play any further part in this match.

Cowan opened the batting with Ryan Carters, but the partnership was shortlived as James Hopes trapped Carters leg before wicket on six. Kurtis Patterson fared little better as Ben Cutting caught him off another Hopes delivery for 14.

At 49-2, Queensland looked in control but they were helpless against the disciplined Cowan. Nic Maddinson came in and mimicked his elder statesman, settling in to ensure his wicket would not fall cheaply, a criticism he faced last season.

But where Cowan is the creature of yesteryear, Maddinson is most definitely a 2015 sensation.

Once settled and ready, he raced towards his half-century with glee. He showed disdain for  Labuschange's bowling in a particularly brutal spell, sending him for two sixes in three balls.

Maddinson, who top scored on 112, said he was "quite satisfied" after making his first century after a series of low scores.

"I think I scored probably 30 runs in my last three games of Shield cricket so I had something to prove and had to try to earn my position back in the team," he said.

Maddinson noted his "soft dismissals" in past weeks were his main concern going in.

"I was quite determined to really put my head down and not get too far ahead of myself."

Maddinson credited Queensland's bowling in the first hour that he was out in the middle for limiting his run scoring.

After losing two wickets early, he said it was important he and Ed Cowan were strong in "absorbing the pressure, rebuilding the partnership and wrestling some momentum back."

Cowan's innings ended with a superb catch from Labuschange at cover after he drove a Mark Steketee half volley, just 10 runs from his century.

But this was a day for the tragics, who would deride the "slog-first, think-later" approach to modern cricket. This was discipline, control and restraint. In other words, this was just a normal day for Ed Cowan.

A stumps on day two, NSW are 6-272 and lead Queensland by 13 runs.