Maher hundred steadies Bulls

Queensland 5 for 220 (Maher 111*, Noffke 34*, Magoffin 3-34) v Western Australia
Scorecard

Jimmy Maher's patient unbeaten 111 steadied Queensland on the first day against Western Australia at the WACA. Maher, playing in his 200th first-class game, lost his opening partner Ryan Broad early on, as Steve Magoffin took two early wickets to leave Queensland struggling on 2 for 6 after 10.4 overs.

Broad shouldered arms and was clean bowled, while Martin Love (0) found Justin Langer at first slip, the quick wickets immediately repaying Adam Voges' decision to field in fine conditions.

Magoffin and his new-ball partner Mathew Inness bowled superbly throughout, but Maher and Clinton Perren steadied the wobbling ship with a 95-run third-wicket stand finally broken by Inness as Perren thin-edged through to Luke Ronchi.

Maher lost James Hopes (8), to Magoffin, and Chris Simpson (16) to Trent Kelly, but Ashley Noffke continued his good batting form, playing sensibly to help Maher through to a 254-ball hundred (his 27th in first-class cricket).

Maher himself played well, nudging off his legs, glancing fine, but also playing forceful shots where they were required. Noffke wasn't shy of hitting out, although he took no risks, as he took a liking to Kelly in particular, helping himself to several fours off the bowler.

Queensland went to stumps on 5 for 220.