Dorey grabs six after Bulls rely on Love

Western Australia 1 for 16 trail Queensland 247 (Love 96, Dorey 6-28) by 231 runs
Scorecard
Points table

Martin Love rescued Queensland with 96 on a difficult opening day as they posted a hard-fought 247 against a Brett Dorey-inspired Western Australia. Dorey was a severe danger with 6 for 28, including Andrew Symonds on his first-class return from knee surgery, as the Warriors bowlers enjoyed the conditions.

Love, 34, stayed calm as his top order team-mates departed during a composed century and he combined for an important seventh-wicket contribution of 93 with Ashley Noffke. Symonds lasted seven balls and was 5 when he edged Dorey to first slip and walked off having failed to impress Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors. Australia's squad for South Africa will be named next week and Symonds' spot has come under threat due to his form and off-field troubles, which included a $4000 fine this week for swearing during a radio interview.

Symonds' dismissal contributed to Queensland's problems on a bowler-friendly pitch at the Gabba. When he departed the Bulls were 3 for 37 after the openers Nick Kruger and Ryan Broad had fallen. Lee Carseldine also left before lunch as the Western Australians continued their surge.

The debutant Drew Porter gained his maiden breakthrough when Chris Hartley, who was promoted to No. 6, nicked to Adam Voges, but the Bulls rebounded through Love and Noffke (41). However, both batsmen fell on the same score - Love was lbw to Steve Magoffin - and the innings was wrapped up by Dorey.

He knocked over Noffke and Ryan Harris in consecutive balls and finished with Chris Simpson and Chris Swan during 20.2 overs of controlled speed. Voges took a record-equalling five catches before Western Australia lost the debutant Marcus Stoinis as they reached 1 for 16 at stumps.