Stevens ton revives Bulls after Sayers hat-trick

South Australia fast bowler Chadd Sayers began the season with a top-order hat-trick but Queensland recovered through a maiden century from Nick Stevens to end the first day in control at Adelaide Oval.

Sayers cut through the Queensland top in the 11th over, reducing them to 3 for 27. His hat-trick victims were Joe Burns, debutant Ben McDermott - son of former Australia quick Craig McDermott - and Peter Forrest.

Watching the carnage from the other end was Queensland's other opener, little-known Marnus Labuschagne, who was also making his first-class debut. Labuschagne, a 20-year old born in South Africa, had emerged from the blue, having played only one representative game - for Queensland Academy against Scotland - before today.

Labuschagne began repairing the innings after the hat-trick with Stevens, who was playing his fourth first-class game. The pair of inexperienced batsmen put on 99 for the fourth wicket, before Labuschagne was dismissed for 83. He had hit 11 boundaries.

Stevens hit 18 fours during his unbeaten innings of 134, putting on another solid stand with the experienced wicketkeeper Chris Hartley, who was not out on 80 at stumps. Stevens' previous best score in four innings was only 25, and he had an average of 6.75. Their unbroken partnership of 188 helped Queensland end the day on 4 for 314.