Bulls on top after Swan attack

Queensland 1 for 72 trail New South Wales 210 (Casson 63, Swan 4-21) by 138 runs
Scorecard

Two inexperienced Bulls, Chris Swan and Nick Kruger, gave the so-called baby Blues a stern lesson at the SCG, where Queensland finished the first day well on top. Swan collected 4 for 21 as New South Wales were bundled out for 210 and Kruger led Queensland's strong reply with 40 not out that guided them to 1 for 72 at the close.

Kruger, who was playing his fourth first-class game in seven seasons, had the veteran Martin Love with him on 29 after his opening partner Ryan Broad was bowled first ball by Burt Cockley. Kruger and Love put the Bulls in a good position to push for first-innings points after Swan's career-best effort.

At 30, Swan is hardly a raw fast bowler but he was a latecomer to state cricket and has only eight previous first-class appearances to his name. He started the damage with the first wicket of Phillip Hughes and later added two important breakthroughs in three balls when Dominic Thornely and Daniel Smith were both caught behind the wicket.

Late resistance from Beau Casson (63) pushed the Blues to a more respectable total after they stumbled to 7 for 97, and Casson was the last man out, giving James Hopes his third wicket. The day began on a sombre note for New South Wales, who rushed Ed Cowan into the side as a late replacement for the batsman Peter Forrest, whose father Ian had died overnight from a heart attack.