Improving performances in the past week have the Queensland Bulls optimistic ahead of their next round of Sheffield Shield and Domestic One Day Cup cricket, with home games looming from next week.
Qld Looks To Next Opportunity
The Bulls competed for a hard-fought draw against triple Sheffield Shield champions Western Australia at the WACA last week, with the class of Michael Neser (5-68 in the WA 1st innings), Marnus Labuschagne (77), Jack Clayton (85), Ben McDermott (68) and Usman Khawaja (64no) all on display during the opening first class game of the season.
WA made 465 in the first innings, with centuries to Sam Whiteman and Josh Inglis, before Queensland responded with a solid first inings of 367. WA batted again, declaring at on day 4 to set Queensland 362 for victory in a minimum of 62 overs.
With Khawaja and captain Labuschagne (35no) unbeaten, Queensland finished at 1-120 off 35 overs.
In the limited overs clash, Queensland fought hard to post a competitive 301 and then had the defending title-holders wobbly at 6-239 in the 41st over before Hilton Cartwright, so often a thorn in Queensland's side, held firm to steer the home side to victory with an unbeaten half century.
Earlier, Queensland's one day innings featured a pair of polished knocks from let-handers Usman Khawaja (76 from 80) and Lachlan Hearne (76 from 82) before Neser delivered a dashing 56 from 36 balls.
The Bulls attack toiled hard on a fine batting track, with all six bowlers used collecting a wicket.
Sheffield Shield Rd 1
WA 465 (M Neser 5-68, M Labuschagne 2-5, M Renshaw 2-43) and 6-263dec (J Wildermuth 3-38) drew with Qld 367 (J Clayton 85, M Labuschagne 77, B McDermott 69) and 1-120 (U Khawaja 64no).
One Day Cup Rd 3
Qld 300 (U Khawaja 76, L Hearne 76, M Neser 56) lost to WA 6-301 (M Renshaw 1-13, M Swepson 1-52).
The Bulls host South Australia at Allan Border Field from next Sunday in a Shield game and then play SA in their one-day clash on Friday 25 October.