Symonds slips again but Queensland stay ahead

Queensland 247 and 4 for 110 (Carseldine 49*) lead Western Australia 236 (Pomersbach 79, Robinson 78, Harris 4-60) by 121 runs
Scorecard
Points table

Andrew Symonds failed for the second time after Queensland sneaked ahead of Western Australia by gaining an 11-run lead on first innings. On another tense day at the Gabba, the Bulls were 4 for 110 at stumps with Symonds caught behind for 3, leaving his Sheffield Shield tally at 88 runs in four matches this season.

Symonds is trying to prove his fitness for the Test tour of South Africa following knee surgery, but after scoring 5 on Friday he entered with Queensland at 2 for 19 and soon left in an angry mood. However, Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, did not seem too concerned by Symonds' lack of batting time.

"He's failed in what are pretty difficult conditions with the new ball and most of the match has been played in these conditions, so we're not reading too much into it," Hilditch told AAP. "They're good new-ball bowlers on a wicket that is giving a little bit so everybody is struggling to get runs."

Ryan Broad and Lee Carseldine moved Queensland away from the trouble but Broad's dismissal late in the day for 39 kept the match delicately poised. Carseldine was unbeaten on 49 as the Bulls took a 121-run advantage in to the third day.

The Warriors appeared to be headed for a significant total when Wes Robinson and Luke Pomersbach put on 143 to lift them from 4 for 30, but the Bulls hit back to shut them down for 236. Ashley Noffke's run out of Pomersbach in his follow through started a slide of 6 for 63 after the Bulls were guided by Ryan Harris' 4 for 60.

Harris gained the first three wickets to start Western Australia's problems, including two in his opening over of the second day, and returned to bowl Luke Ronchi. Chris Swan and Carseldine chipped in with two victims each while Noffke had Robinson caught by Harris at square leg. Robinson, the No. 3, earned his 78 while Pomersbach was much more comfortable during his 79, which included 14 fours and a six.