Law misses out again

Close Queensland 9 for 298 (Law 75, Seccombe 67*) v South Australia
Scorecard

Stuart Law admitted a "brain fade" prevented him from breaking a recent drought of centuries on a mixed opening day for Queensland in their Pura Cup match against South Australia at the Adelaide Oval.

Queensland finished the day on 9 for 298, with Wade Seccombe having made a fighting unbeaten 67 and Michael Kasprowicz a lusty 36 not out from 35 balls. The pair put on an unbeaten 46-run last-wicket stand in 55 balls to make first-day honours even, after SA had been on top when the ninth wicket fell at 252.

Six of Queensland's top seven batsmen reached double figures, but only Law, who top-scored with 75 from 135 balls, with 12 boundaries, and Seccombe capitalised with half-centuries. They put on an 88-run stand for the sixth-wicket, which rescued Queensland from trouble at 5 for 110.

The pair threatened to take control of the match until Law, who had looked very comfortable, gave away his wicket by pulling a slow, short ball from offspinner John Davison straight to Mark Cosgrove at mid-wicket.

"I was in two minds whether to hit it over the top or along the ground, so you compromise and hit it straight at his gut," Law said. "I was disappointed. I was pleased in a way that I scored some runs, but disappointed that I've got a 70 and an 80 so far this season and I just want to make someone hurt."

It meant Law's century drought continued, with his last ton in domestic four-day cricket coming against SA here in March, 2001, almost three seasons ago. He said, "you always think about getting hundreds, you just worry about what you have to do to get there, and unfortunately I had a brain fade and hit one straight at midwicket,".

Davison finished with 3 for 48, his first wickets in the Pura Cup this season, with his haul also including Martin Love (32) and Andy Bichel (14). Greg Blewett, SA's captain, said he felt they had slightly the better of the opening day.

"To have them nearly all out for 300, I probably would have taken that at the start of the day," he said. "Certainly we can't complain about the position we're in at the moment."