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A three-wicket burst by Michael Neser has set the platform for Queensland to claim a bonus-point 93-run one-day win over Western Australia at the Gabba.
A brilliant spell of new-ball bowling by Michael Neser has helped Queensland claim a comprehensive 93-run win in a rain-affected domestic one-day cup match against Western Australia.
The Test aspirant took three wickets for just one run in his first four overs to wreck the Warriors' top order at an overcast Gabba, before Queensland dismissed the visitors for 143 off 31.5 overs chasing a reduced target of 237 in 40 overs.
Neser, making his return from a hamstring injury, finished with 3-10 off six overs including three maidens to be the pick of the Bulls' bowlers.
Jack Wildermuth, who top-scored in the home team's 9-264 earlier in the day with 66, capped a good day taking 2-36 as Queensland claimed a bonus-point victory.
Ex-Test opener Cameron Bancroft (0) and in-form all-rounder Cameron Green (4) were among Neser's scalps, as a WA team already missing several international players also faced the Bulls without Shaun Marsh after he returned to Perth due to personal reasons.
Having been reduced to 3-6 inside five overs, the Warriors never looked likely to chase down their target despite mini-revival led by stand-in captain Sam Whiteman (52 off 63).
The Bulls themselves had been in early strife when they slumped to 4-49 in their innings.
Former Test opener Joe Burns (47) combined with wicketkeeper-batsman Jimmy Peirson (35) in a 74-run fifth-wicket partnership to steady the hosts before Wildermuth's knock pushed the home team's score past 250.
It took something special to end the 27-year-old's innings with Green providing one of the highlights of the day when he took a diving catch over his shoulder on the boundary.
The comfortable win means Queensland join NSW at the top of the ladder with two wins from two matches, while WA are fourth with one win and one loss from their two games.
The Warriors travel to NSW to face the Blues at North Sydney Oval on Sunday while Queensland's next one-day match is against South Australia at Allan Border Field on March 28.
