Noffke blasts Victoria away

Queensland 4 for 100 (Perren 49) trail Victoria 113 (Noffke 6-33) by 13 runs
Scorecard

Ashley Noffke was celebrating following his six wickets © Getty Images Enlarge

Ashley Noffke's rich vein of form continued with 6 for 33 which helped to crush Victoria for 113 on the first day in Brisbane. But the visitors fought back in bowler-friendly conditions to leave Queensland in some trouble of their own at 4 for 100.

It was Noffke's fourth five-wicket haul in his five first-class matches this season and he showed no discomfort after missing the midweek FR Cup win with a groin strain. Grant Sullivan nipped in with three wickets as the Bushrangers made a disastrous start.

The procession began immediately as Nick Jewell fell in the first over, caught at first slip off Noffke for nought. Brad Hodge made 5 before going to Andy Bichel, then Noffke bagged David Hussey (9) and Robert Quiney (31) in quick succession. Quiney's lbw was the only wicket that was not a catch and his effort was the top score. Wickets continued to tumble before Sullivan cleaned up with Matthew Wade (22) and Bryce McGain (4).

Queensland found the batting tricky too, with Shane Watson making a forgettable return with a four-ball duck. Under cloudy conditions, and on a grassy wicket, they lost Ryan Broad for 6 before Jimmy Maher and Clinton Perren secured things with a third-wicket stand of 78. Maher then fell to Gerard Denton for 33 while Perren moved to 49 before becoming Clinton McKay's second victim.