Jason Behrendorff has helped triggered a dramatic Queensland collapse of 8-61 under the WACA lights as Western Australian recorded an emphatic eight-wicket Sheffield Shield win inside three days.
Queensland gave up a 194-run first innings deficit but did look a hope of setting WA a challenging run chase when Greg Moller (86) and Peter Forrest (43) combined for a 130-run third-wicket stand.
However, Moller’s dismissal signalled the end of the fight from Queensland who lost 7-34 to be 9-183 before a 27-run last wicket stand between Alister McDermott (25) and Peter George (2 not out) took them to 210 all out.
That left the home side needed 17 to win – a task which was never going to trouble them, even as they lost Cameron Bancroft (2) and Michael Klinger (1), both to James Hopes (2-10).
Marcus Harris (10) and Adam Voges (5) polished off the remaining runs, guiding the Warriors to 2-18 in 9.4 overs.
Behrendorff was the star with the ball for WA on Monday, claiming a career-best 7-70 despite being off the ground for more than an hour during the middle session due to illness.
He also took 3-44 in the first innings to earn man of the match honours.
Day three began with WA in their first innings at 7-342, thanks to starring efforts from Shaun Marsh (111) and Bancroft (99) on day two, and the hosts added 3-15 in the first session to be all out for 357 with a lead of 194.
The Bulls started their second innings disastrously losing Joe Burns (7) and Marnus Labuschagne (6) to be 2-19, but Moller and Forrest then came together in a terrific fighting partnership.
Forrest was dropped by Harris on 21 but Moller was looking in outstanding form before falling for 86 when clean bowled by Michael Hogan.
That ended the 130-run, 284-ball partnership and Forrest fell shortly after when caught behind by Sam Whiteman off Nathan Rimmington with the score 4-149.
Behrendorff then ripped through the Queensland batsmen with Nicholas Stevens (15), Chris Hartley (1), Hopes (8), Michael Neser (0) and McDermott all falling victim to him.
It is WA’s second straight Shield win to open the season on the heels of winning the domestic one-day title.
