Queensland v South Australia, Pura Cup, Queensland, 1st day

Tait impresses on return for Redbacks

Cricinfo staff

November 30, 2007

South Australia 0 for 33 trail Queensland 308 (Simpson 89, Hopes 59, Tait 3-69) by 275 runs
Scorecard

Chris Simpson made a quickfire 89 © Getty Images

Shaun Tait made a welcome comeback for South Australia with three wickets against Queensland and their attack again bowled encouragingly as the hosts were dismissed for 308. Chris Simpson and James Hopes held them up with a 118-run fifth-wicket stand, which helped the Bulls recover from the early trouble of 4 for 96.

Tait, who enjoyed working on a green track under overcast skies, continued to press his Test claims with 3 for 69 on his first-class return from an elbow injury and he was backed up by Jason Gillespie and Nathan Adcock, who each grabbed two wickets. This was the first match of the post-Lehmann era, but rather than rue his loss the Redbacks built on the momentum of his farewell victory, their first of the season in the Pura Cup.

After being sent in, Queensland made a poor start when Shane Watson collected his third successive fourth-ball duck, edging to second slip off a Tait outswinger. Nick Kruger posted 11 in his first innings in more than four years and Clinton Perren reached 41 before he was involved in a mix-up with his captain Jimmy Maher, who reached 16 before dragging on Paul Rofe.

Hopes, who was dropped on 47 by Ryan Harris in the gully, moved on to his fifty, but Tait picked him up on 59. He then grabbed Simpson - his brutal 89 contained 15 fours and three sixes - and South Australia went on to take the last six wickets for 94. Shane Deitz, returning to the side following Cameron Borgas' failures, cracked a six as a sign of intent as the visitors reached 0 for 33 at stumps.

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