Carseldine leads left-handed assault on Blues

BRISBANE, Oct 17 AAP - Little-known Queenslander Lee Carseldine led another left-handed assault on NSW today as Queensland reached the high ground in the Pura Cup cricket match at the Gabba.

Carseldine's 124 not out - his maiden first-class century - was the highlight of another day which belonged to Queensland before the Blues began to mop-up late on the second day.

At stumps, NSW was 1-79 in reply to Queensland's 5-507 declared, leaving plenty hinging on Michael Bevan (23 not out) and Matthew Phelps (31 not out) when play resumes tomorrow.

The Blues need an innings of substance to match the efforts of Carseldine and Brendan Nash (176), who ripped into the visitors on a hot day when two wickets fell for 287 runs.

The left-handers added 120 for the fifth wicket, emerging as the stars among their more experienced partners in the Queensland line-up.

Nash posted his century yesterday before slipping past 150 today while the 26-year-old Carseldine couldn't bear to watch as he reached a satisfying ton.

He was on 96 when he edged rookie Doug Bollinger for a streaky boundary between wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and floating slip Michael Clarke, before raising his arms in triumph at a century which had taken 10 first-class matches and five seasons to arrive.

"I nicked it but I couldn't look around and then I heard the cheers," Carseldine said.

"That's a monkey off my back and it feels good because I really wanted to get off to a good start this year."

Carseldine is the most athletic player in the Queensland line-up, boasting some of the best fitness marks ever recorded at the Australian cricket academy during his stint in 1997.

But his success on the field hasn't been as great, struggling to hold down a place in a Queensland team which has got by with the likes of Matt Hayden, Jimmy Maher, Martin Love and Stuart Law.

Carseldine wants to make his mark this season and his chances will be boosted when he returns to the bowling crease after recovering from a damaged rib cartilage courtesy of a hit from teammate Andrew Symonds during a "touch" football match three weeks ago.

Carseldine is a genuine all-rounder with the ability to bowl lively left-arm pace.

NSW had two left-armers in their arsenal but it wasn't enough to trouble the Bulls on a wicket not playing as well as the scorecard would suggest.

The Blues had every reason to feel down when Queensland captain Maher finally declared, despite a better bowling performance today, but their batsmen made a confident start during a 29-over stint before stumps.

Corey Richards (16) was the only batsman to fall, edging an ambitious drive from Joe Dawes' (1-14) to Love at first slip.

It was a disappointing end for Richards after joining Phelps in an enterprising start against Queensland's four-pace attack.