Warriors on top despite Cutting's five

Queensland 251 and 4 for 111 (Broad 40) lead Western Australia 359 (S Marsh 79, Davis 68, Cutting 5-99) by 3 runs
Scorecard

Ben Cutting made a fine return from injury with a five-wicket haul but Western Australia were in control after three days at the Gabba. The Warriors took first-innings points and were chipping away at Queensland's batsmen in the second innings when rain arrived and set in, and at the close of play the Bulls were 4 for 111, leading by three runs with Joe Burns on 32 and Chris Hartley on 1.

Little rain was forecast for Thursday, so Western Australia had a good chance to push for victory if they could get in to Queensland's tail. Mitchell Marsh picked up two top-order wickets, including the opener Ryan Broad for 40, after the Warriors finished the first innings with a 108-run advantage when they were dismissed on the stroke of lunch.

They added 109 to their overnight score for the loss of six wickets, five of which fell to Cutting, who was playing his first match back after suffering a side strain in early December. Cutting had been part of the squad for Australia's first Test of the summer, against New Zealand in Brisbane, when the injury occurred, and he was sidelined for the remainder of the Test season.

He finished with 5 for 99 in Western Australia's first innings and continued an outstanding Sheffield Shield season in which he has taken 29 wickets at 16.27. However, he might need to perform a miracle with the bat to help Queensland avoid defeat on the final day.