Queensland v Western Australia, Pura Cup, Brisbane, 1st day

Bulls evade trouble despite Edmondson's six

Cricinfo staff

February 11, 2008

Queensland 6 for 270 (Watson 80, Simpson 61, Edmondson 6-74) v Western Australia
Scorecard

Ben Edmondson's 6 for 74 carried Western Australia as no other bowlers took wickets © Getty Images

Ben Edmondson rattled his former state Queensland with six wickets but Shane Watson's 80 helped the Bulls reach 6 for 270 at the close of the first day at the Gabba. Ashley Noffke was on 38 and Chris Hartley had 3 when bad light stopped Western Australia making further inroads into the Queensland lower order.

Watson was making his return from his latest hamstring injury and following a string of failures at the top of the order earlier in the season he had more success at No. 5. He and Chris Simpson added 113 for the fifth wicket after Edmondson's initial strikes left Queensland at 4 for 84.

Edmondson, who moved from Queensland to pursue his career in Perth, collected all the first-day victims and finished with 6 for 74 and the rare chance to try for all ten in an innings. The Bulls made a promising start with a 53-run opening partnership but Edmondson bowled Ryan Broad for 19 and then added Greg Moller, caught behind for 45.

Martin Love's comeback proved unsuccessful when he was caught behind for 8 and his fellow veteran Jimmy Maher managed only 9. Watson and Simpson then came together for their important stand, which ended when Simpson was caught by Steve Magoffin for 61. The third-placed Warriors need a win to stay in touch with the top two teams, New South Wales and Victoria.

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