New South Wales v Queensland, Pura Cup, Sydney, 4th day

Simpson makes most of high-scoring draw

Cricinfo staff

October 29, 2007

New South Wales 8 for 601 dec and 0 for 34 drew with Queensland 467 and 7 for 398 dec (Simpson 120, Noffke 78, Symonds 57, Clark 4-71)
Scorecard

Chris Simpson made his second Pura Cup century in two matches © Getty Images

Chris Simpson cashed in on the batting paradise at the SCG, scoring a first-class century for the second consecutive match as Queensland and New South Wales played out a high-scoring draw. Stuart Clark fared best among the Test bowlers with 4 for 71, Stuart MacGill took 1 for 97 from 19 overs and Brett Lee went wicketless again on a slow and unhelpful pitch.

Simpson belted 120 from 123 balls just a fortnight after recording his maiden Pura Cup hundred and like that first effort he had good support from Ashley Noffke (78). Andrew Symonds chipped in with 57, which was an important contribution following Clark's early breakthroughs that gave the Blues a chance of victory.

Clark bowled Matthew Hayden for 20, had Clinton Perren caught behind next ball and also removed Jimmy Maher as Queensland - who had a first-innings deficit of 134 - fell to 3 for 51. However, Simpson and Noffke ended any hope of a result and gave MacGill and Lee (0 for 75) unflattering figures ahead of Australia's first Test of the summer.

Strangely, Maher declared at 7 for 398, making the Blues bat for eight overs to make the draw official. Phil Jaques finished unbeaten on 22 and Ed Cowan was 12 as New South Wales reached 0 for 34.

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