Follow-on looms for struggling Bulls

Queensland 6 for 210 (Nye 61, Noffke 51, Bollinger 3-49) trail New South Wales 438 (Katich 86, Lambert 86, Nicholson 80, Hughes 53, Noffke 5-115) by 228 runs
Scorecard

Queensland again relied heavily on Ashley Noffke but they were in danger of having to follow on against New South Wales despite his best efforts with bat and ball. At stumps the Bulls were 6 for 210, still trailing the Blues by 228 runs, with Chris Hartley on 13 and Daniel Doran on 2.

Noffke made 51 - the sixth time he has passed fifty this season - and his 98-run stand with Aaron Nye restored some order for the struggling Bulls. But Doug Bollinger ended the fightback when he grabbed his third wicket, bowling Nye for 61.

Grant Lambert then collected the important wicket of Noffke, who was caught by Stuart Clark late in the day. The situation for Queensland, who have not won a game this summer, was even worse than it appeared as Chris Simpson might not bat due to a broken finger.

Their reply began badly when Shane Watson continued his poor form as a first-class opener by edging Bollinger to first slip for 13. Clark removed Clinton Perren for 2 and the Bulls needed some composure, but they did not get it from Jimmy Maher, who departed at 3 for 47 after top-edging a hook to Lambert at fine-leg off Matthew Nicholson.

Lambert and Nicholson had resumed at 7 for 319 and added a further 102 to frustrate the home side. After getting through the second new ball, Lambert registered a personal best of 86 while Nicholson produced a useful 80 until edging to Hartley, who pouched his seventh catch of the innings when Clark went to Doran.

Lambert struck 13 fours and a six, which came off Noffke and brought up his fifty, and was closing on a century when he chipped to the substitute Scott Brant to end the innings at 438. It gave Noffke his fifth wicket of the innings, the fifth time he has achieved the milestone this season, and he worked hard for his 5 for 115.