Smith and Warner stay in form
David Warner and Steven Smith both warmed up for the first Ashes Test with half-centuries but were outdone by their younger New South Wales team-mate Nic Maddinson on the first day against Queensland at Allan Border Field
ESPNcricinfo staff
13-Nov-2013
David Warner and Steven Smith both warmed up for the first Ashes Test with half-centuries but were outdone by their younger New South Wales team-mate Nic Maddinson on the first day against Queensland at Allan Border Field. The Blues reached 8 for 368 at stumps on day one having chosen to bat, with Steve O'Keefe unbeaten on 21 and Nathan Lyon on 11.
It was the solid contributions from the top four that set the Blues on their strong path, as Maddinson and Warner combined for a 95-run opening stand before Scott Henry and Smith added to the tally. Warner raced to 52 from 62 deliveries - his third consecutive 50-plus score in the Shield - before he was caught off the legspin of Cameron Boyce, but that only brought the promising Henry to the crease.
Henry and Maddinson put on 76 for the second wicket before Maddinson was caught behind off the bowling of Michael Neser for 87, missing the chance for his first century of the Shield summer. Henry and Smith then compiled an 84-run partnership that took the Blues on to a strong 2 for 255 before Henry was bowled by James Hopes for 60.
Smith, who will bat at No.5 for the Australians in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba, was out for 69 off the bowling of Ben Cutting, and his Test colleague Brad Haddin contributed 18. Cutting, Boyce and Alister McDermott each picked up two wickets for the Bulls.