3 minute read

Queensland have enjoyed the perfect start to the Sheffield Shield season, securing a win in the last session against Tasmania.

Marnus Labuschagne showed there's little he can't do on a cricket field, capturing a vital wicket in the final session as Queensland beat Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield.

Labuschagne, who flayed 167 in Queensland's' first innings, had Nathan Ellis caught for 31, his departure helping his side eventually dismiss Tasmania for 220 late on day four.

It resulted in an innings and 59-run win for the Bulls.

Ellis had dug in for 112 balls, and with play well into the last hour and Tasmania at 7-207 there was every chance the Tigers could hold on.

But part-time legspinner and full-time run-scorer Labuschagne (1-9) enticed Ellis to push forward, the No.8 caught beautifully by Usman Khawaja in the slips.

Mitch Swepson (4-66) then cleaned up the final two wickets as Queensland won with 6.4 overs remaining in the day.

In a match dominated by Labuschagne and allrounder Michael Neser (121 and 5-32), the Bulls shared the love around on day four as Xavier Bartlett (3-38) and Jack Wildermuth (2-21) also helped to mop up the Tigers.

"Marnus has obviously been on fire with the red ball for a while now and Neser also - he's won I think the Ian Healy Trophy (for Queensland player of the year) three of the last four years," said Bulls captain Khawaja, who failed with the bat but took a number of sharp catches during the match.

"He's (Neser) the first one picked in our side. Ball, bat - it's great to see his first first class hundred because he's worked hard on his batting for the last couple of years."

Resuming at 3-86 on Tuesday at Gladys Elphick Park Tasmania resisted early, Jordan Silk (56) and Jake Doran (36) batting out much of the first session.

But when Wildermuth got one to nip back nicely, bowling Silk five overs before lunch, the pendulum swung firmly back towards a Queensland win.

Wickets fell regularly from there.

Doran was trapped in front by Bartlett and Australia captain Tim Paine was bowled for 10 to a straightener by Bartlett soon after and the Tigers had slipped to 6-137.

Tasmania were left to rue their sloppy fielding in the match, centurion Labuschagne dropped three times early in his innings.

Neser will undoubtedly be watched again closely by national selectors when Queensland play South Australia in Adelaide starting October 30.