Khawaja grinds out half-century on tough batting day

Queensland captain Usman Khawaja continued his outstanding form tuning up for the upcoming Test tour of Pakistan with a patient half-century against New South Wales as the bowlers dominated on a seamer-friendly day one surface at the Gabba.

Khawaja's 63 was vital for the Bulls as they were bowled out for 193 having been sent in to bat. Blues quick Chris Tremain took 3 for 26 while allrounders Hayden Kerr and Jack Edwards and legspinner Tanveer Sangha chimed in with two wickets apiece.

Bulls quick Mark Steketee then struck twice late in the day to leave New South Wales 2 for 33 at stumps.

Khawaja moved up to open for Queensland, as he is likely to do in Pakistan, after Joe Burns was sidelined due to Covid-19. He struck just six boundaries in his 155-ball innings, highlighting how difficult it was to find fluency on a surface where there was consistent seam, swing and bounce.

Tremain made the early breakthrough with Bryce Street caught at slip for 5. Trent Copeland then continued his stranglehold over Marnus Labuschagne. Australia's Test No. 3 was given out lbw not offering a shot to a late inswinger from Copeland. Labuschagne was unhappy about the height and may have had a case but the umpire thought it was clipping the bails. Copeland has now picked up Labuschagne eight times in first-class cricket, one more than any other bowler.

Matt Renshaw fell trying to pull a length ball from Tremain, holing out to mid-on. But Khawaja found an ally in Sam Truloff who was playing his first Sheffield Shield match since 2018 after scoring five centuries and a 97 in Queensland premier cricket this season. The pair put on 61 for the fourth wicket. Khawaja fell just before tea driving at a full delivery from Edwards and was caught at slip.

Truloff struck four boundaries in his 37 but was given out lbw to Edwards in the first over after tea, although the ball looked to be going well down the leg side. It sparked a collapse as Queensland lost 7 for 53 to be all out for 193. Michael Neser was the only one of the Bulls' last six batters to reach double figures, finishing 24 not out.

The Blues had to survive a tricky 12-over session and Steketee made the most of it knocking over debutant Ryan Hackney and Jason Sangha in a superb six-over spell. Daniel Hughes remains 15 not out overnight.