Maher shines again as Queensland make 362

Western Australia 1 for 0 (Langer 0*, Bichel 1-0) trail Queensland 362 (Maher 92, Hopes 71, Philipson 63) by 362 runs
Scorecard

Fresh from his record-breaking one-day hundred, Queensland's captain, Jimmy Maher, was grateful to his opposite number Justin Langer, after being handed first use of a perfect batting track at the Gabba. Langer's unexpected gamble allowed Queensland to rattle along to 362 in their first innings, before grabbing an added bonus with the final ball of the day, when Western Australia's stand-in opener, Ben Edmondson, was trapped lbw by Andy Bichel for a duck.

Maher later joked that it had been a good toss to lose, but it was largely thanks to his brusk 92 that Queensland were able to move themselves into such a good position. James Hopes and Craig Philipson built on Maher's platform with rapid innings of 71 and 63 respectively, as Western Australia were crashed all round the Gabba in the early part of the day. It was only as the wicket quickened up in the afternoon that conditions became more perilous for batting, and Queensland duly lost their last six wickets for 92.

Langer was quick to defend his decision at the close of play. "Traditionally it's a bit like the WACA," he said. "You don't always [bowl first] but you feel like you usually get the most out of the Gabba wicket on the first day. I thought there was a bit of moisture in it and good grass cover, and as it turned out, it has been a good day for us."

Maher, naturally, took a different opinion. "It was a good toss to win, I mean lose," he joked to reporters. "When you get sent in on day one of a game and make 360 and have them 1 for 0, there's nothing but happiness. The wicket was pretty good, and the good thing about it, is that it looked like it's quickened up a bit. All in all I think we should bowl them out for a decent score."

Queensland played their shots throughout the innings, but WA's bowlers fought back well. John Taylor (3 for 99) recovered from an early caning by Maher and Stuart Law (28), while Kade Harvey (2 for 54) bowled a tight line throughout. The day ended in confusion when Edmondson, who had already bowled 21 overs in Queensland's innings, was sent in as a nightwatchman. He lasted just two balls, before Bichel pinned him lbw. "I guess he was the sacrificial lamb," admitted Langer, "but hopefully it will work out well for the team."

One significant batting failure was that of Martin Love, who caught at slip off Taylor for just 2. It was particularly poor timing for Love, who is still hopeful of a Test place for the forthcoming series in Sri Lanka.