Broad's century in vain as MacGill seals draw

New South Wales 4 for 613 dec and 3 for 215 dec (Cowan 128) drew with Queensland 8 for 464 dec and 8 for 355 (Broad 111, Maher 87, MacGill 5-114)
Scorecard

Ryan Broad's first Pura Cup century drove Queensland breathtakingly close to a superb victory but five wickets to Stuart MacGill ensured the game ended in a draw. Chasing 365 from two sessions, the Bulls fell ten runs short at 8 for 355, ending their run of eight consecutive Pura Cup final appearances.

Queensland needed 29 from the last two overs and New South Wales required three wickets but both teams were denied, leaving the Blues second on the table but not certain of a final berth. MacGill took 5 for 114 to drive the home side back into the contest after Broad and Jimmy Maher threatened to steal the game with a blistering opening stand.

Broad followed his first-innings 83 with 111 from 119 balls while Maher hammered 87 from 109 deliveries. The pair added 197 at nearly six an over as the Bulls searched for the unlikely win that would keep their season alive.

Greg Moller's handy 47 kept the chase on track but MacGill proved too much for the middle- and lower-order batsmen. He had Ashley Noffke stumped with three balls remaining but had too little time to clean up the tail.

The Blues declared at 3 for 215 at lunch after Ed Cowan struck a lively 128 from 121 deliveries to set up the thrilling afternoon. New South Wales took first-innings honours and remain second on the table, four points behind Tasmania. A loss against the Tigers in their last match next week could allow Victoria or Western Australia to sneak ahead of the Blues and into the final.