Hopes and Hartley stage Queensland recovery

Queensland 5 for 226 (Hopes 75*, Hartley 64*) v Victoria
Scorecard

James Hopes and Chris Hartley rescued Queensland from a precarious position on a slow-moving opening day against Victoria at the MCG. The Bulls recovered from 5 for 89 to reach 5 for 226 by stumps, with the captain Hopes unbeaten on 75 and the wicketkeeper Hartley on 64.

The early stages of the day were a struggle for the batsmen, after Cameron White sent the visitors in on a pitch tinged with green. Clint McKay picked up two early wickets, trapping Ryan Broad lbw with an offcutter before adding Craig Philipson, who was caught behind for 4.

Wade Townsend and Chris Lynn tried to steady the ship, but it was desperately slow going. Townsend was caught behind off Will Sheridan for 31 off 120 balls and the man who replaced him, Ben Dunk, soon became the first victim of Damien Wright.

Wright was next to impossible to get away, and finished with 2 for 25 from 20 overs, finishing with the wicket of Lynn, who was bowled for 24 from 102. Hopes and Hartley found it much easier to score and they'll be aiming to push on to a strong total on the second day.