What is supposed to be a batsman’s paradise is becoming a nightmare for Queensland in their Sheffield Shield clash with NSW in Brisbane.
The Bulls again struggled to exploit Allan Border Field’s flat wicket, slumping to 5-113 at stumps on day three chasing an improbable 435 for victory.
NSW’s Test batsmen David Warner, Steven Smith and Brad Haddin will no doubt have fond memories of the small picturesque ground ahead of next week’s Ashes opener after each blew off rust by thrashing half-centuries in the match.
Warner (52) and Smith (69) helped the Blues blast 386 in their first dig before Haddin got stuck in with a 46-ball unbeaten 50 on Friday and declared the second innings at 8-270, setting up the mammoth target.
However, it looms as a match the Bulls bats would rather forget.
After adding just six more runs to their overnight score, Queensland were bowled out for 222 in their first innings on Friday morning.
And the Bulls were on the back foot again when Haddin’s heroics backed up Warner’s streaky 21 and Smith’s 33-ball 36 before NSW pulled the pin on their second innings.
Then it really went pear shaped for the Bulls.
Queensland limped into tea at 1-7 before losing ex-Test batsman Usman Khawaja (16), Greg Moller (41), Peter Forrest (11) and skipper James Hopes (four) in a disastrous final session.
Chris Lynn was not out 34 while Stephen O’Keefe (1-7 off eight overs), Trent Copeland (1-18) and Gurinder Sandhu (1-19) impressed with the ball.
Test spinner Nathan Lyon had 0-17 off 10 overs.
Earlier, Haddin struck five fours and three sixes, including two off consecutive deliveries from Queensland legspinner Cameron Boyce (2-85).
The Test vice-captain’s knock was a solid hit-out before the opening Test against England at the Gabba starting next Thursday after he could only manage 18 in the first innings.
His Test teammates Warner and Smith made cameos before being dismissed with loose shots.
Warner, opening with impressive youngster Nic Maddinson (72), pushed his luck to race to 21 but it ran out when he chopped an Alister McDermott delivery onto his stumps.
Smith was also undone by McDermott when he played all around a straight delivery and lost his leg stump.
McDermott finished with 4-44 off 12 overs.
