QLD Recover

Queensland made a good recovery in their four day match against the West Indians. After slumping to 215/8 they were eventually dismissed for 323. In reply the West Indians were 13/0 with Chris Gayle not out 3 and Devon Smith not out 8, with poor light stopping play early.

Earlier in the day the Queensland captain Jimmy Maher had won the toss and elected to bat, he strode out to open with Test incumbent Matthew Hayden. Both players seemed intent on exploiting the short boundaries on Alan Border Field. This proved the undoing of Hayden as he tried to pull a short ball from Daren Powell, but only succeeded in dragging it back on to his stumps, Hayden was out for 0. (9/1)

Maher and Matin Love then put on 47 runs for the third wicket at better than four an over, before Jimmy Maher was dismissed by Dwayne Bravo for 30. The Queensland captain was in good touch stroking 4 boundaries and a six, his runs coming off just 46 deliveries. Daren Powell then claimed the wickets of Martin Love (55), Shane Watson (20) and James Hopes (4) in quick succession, to reduce the Queenslanders to 120/4.

The West Indians stuck to their task manfully, as each time a Queensland batsman threatened to convert a start into a big score the Windies found a way to dismiss him. It must be said that most of the Queensland players were victims of looking for the big shot however. With Andrew Symonds (55) looking set for a ton, he was untroubled by the bowling and seemed to be judiciously choosing the right ball to dispatch to the boundary, when a sudden lack of concentration saw him fall to the bowling of Marlon Samuels.

It fell to rookie leg spinner Ryan Le Loux (63) with help from the tail Mitchell Johnson (23) and Michael Kasprowicz (26*) to lift Queensland to the respectable score of 323. Given fine weather on day two the West Indians have a great opportunity to find their batting feet in Australian conditions.

Daren Powel was the best of the bowlers, although somewhat expensive (4.14 per over) he generated good pace, and gave himself every opportunity to claim wickets. Unfortunately for the West Indians he was forced from the field with hip problems, but is expected to bowl in the Queensland second innings. The news was not so good for Wavell Hinds, who was forced to leave the field after an hour with a broken finger, he is almost certain to miss the first Test.

Queensland 323
Ryan Le Loux 63, Martin Love 55, Andrew Symonds 55
Daren Powell 4/58, Dwayne Bravo 3/87

West Indians 13/0