Shield Cricket

NSW v Victoria

Moses Henriques made 68

NSW lost wickets at regular intervals and were dismissed for a disappointing 201. The only stand of consequence was the 77 added mid innings by Moses Henriques (68) and Peter Nevil after Simon Katich was McDonald's only wicket of the innings. McDonald has a habit of doing such things. Herrick bowled well for his 5-79, all of his scalps contained in the top seven. Jon Holland cleaned up the tail. With so much having been said about Holland, its hard to understand that he is still to capture 50 first class wickets and as yet, has no 5fa.
Quiney and Rodgers gave Victoria the perfect start, their opening stand of 94 in 21 overs, but they were helped by some ordinary bowling from the Starc and Hazelwood, NSW's barely shaving opening bowlers. Quiney, in particular, took full toll and must have kicked himself when Sean Abbott removed him. As was always the risk, Steve O'Keefe under bowled himself at a time when he needed to lead with the ball. A long haul ahead for the NSW babes this season.
Scorecard

Ryan Harris fit and dangerous

Qld v Tas
What the hell happened to Tasmania! 15 of their wickets fell at the Gabba for 195 runs on the second day, almost certainly assuring Queensland of an outright victory on day three. In the first innings, they were 2-70 with Doolan and Bailey in charge but Reardon, a part time bowler with only five first class wickets to his credit, removed both of them inside three overs. Ryan Harris chimed in with the wickets of Faulkner and Cosgrove and Tasmania lost their last 8-59. To call it a collapse would be to give the Westgate Bridge a bad name. Worse was to come in the second innings, following on. After Harris got Kruger early, that man Reardon removed ex NSWelshman Ed Cowan. Ben Cutting removed George Bailey before he could get going and then it was Harris again, in his second spell, who bowled both Cosgrove and Faulkner. Through it all, Doolan looked a batsman. With 92 still to get to make the Queenslander openers strap on their pads, its unlikely the match will go much beyond lunch on the third day. Note to the Australia selectors ... Ryan Harris is back.
Scorecard
SA v WA
The Western Australian innings made it beyond three hundred thanks to Travis Birt and Michael Beer, the latter making a useful red ink contribution. The quick men, Gary Putland (5-71), Peter George (3-83) and former Coffs Harbour lad Joe Mennie (2-75) took all the wickets in a haphazard innings. South Australia couldn't stop themselves from getting out. Too many batsmen got themselves established and then left the arena with the job unfinished. Dan Harris and Tom Cooper were the most successful but having reached half centuries they surrendered. Cooper shows a lot of promise but after 16 first class innings and a top score of only 63, the Redbacks will need more than that from their number 4 (yet another ex NSW player and a World Cup player for the Netherlands). The Michaels - Beer and Hogan - bowled impressively, always keeping the Redbacks under pressure. Mostly, it was just a matter of time.
Scorecard