Perren and Bichel lead Queensland fightback

Queensland 169 and 5 for 225 (Perren 86*, Maher 66) lead Victoria 194 (Moss 51, Bichel 7-56) by 200 runs
Scorecard

Clinton Perren and Jimmy Maher led Queensland's revival at Brisbane, as they finished the second day of their Pura Cup match against Victoria on 5 for 225. After Andy Bichel had taken 7 for 56 to bowl Victoria out for 194, Perren (86 not out) and Maher (66) ensured that Queensland had an overall lead of 200 with five wickets in hand.

Starting their second innings 25 runs in the arrears, Queensland got off to a poor start in the second innings, losing Ryan Broad with only 14 on the board. Maher, their captain, struck ten fours in his 66, and put together a useful 55-run stand with Martin Love. Maher and Perren then added 61 for the third wicket, and when Maher was dismissed, Perren took over, hitting 14 fours in his knock. Though Queensland lost a couple of wickets, Perren was still around when stumps were drawn for the day.

If Perren was the star with the bat, then Andy Bichel was undoubtedly the bowling hero, taking 7 for 56 to restrict Victoria to just 194 in their first innings. Resuming at 6 for 126, Victoria were propped up by a useful 51 by Jonathan Moss, and his 71-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Adam Crosthwaite. However, once Bichel got the breakthrough, he nailed two more wickets before Ashley Noffke finally got rid of Moss to end the innings.