Qld open Shield season with thumping win

Joel Gould | October 8, 2022

Tim Paine has taken five catches behind the stumps on his return to first-class cricket for Tasmania but three sensational individual displays by Queensland players inspired an innings win for the hosts in their Sheffield Shield season opener.

Bulls wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson (123) played an aggressive and classy hand for his fifth first-class century to lift his side to 458 in reply to the Tigers’ first innings of 147 at Allan Border Field.

Tasmania’s openers were looking comfortable at 0-41 in reply when Bulls allrounder James Bazley threw himself to his left at square leg to snaffle a one-handed screamer to dismiss Caleb Jewell (29).

Bazley also claimed a scalp with his first ball of the innings and the wickets tumbled.

Bulls paceman Gurinder Sandhu (5-41) ripped through the Tigers who were bundled out for 139.

Queensland’s win by an innings and 172 runs inside three days was the perfect start to their season, and the Tigers were never in the hunt.

Australia stars Marnus Labuschagne (127) and Usman Khawaja (72) made massive contributions to the Bulls’ win and struck early form ahead of the Test series against West Indies and South Africa.

“With those guys back you see the way they go about their business and realise that’s the level you’ve got to be at to play Test cricket,” Peirson said of the Test duo.

“As teammates we want to be rising to that level. I know when (Michael) Jordan played basketball he spoke about bringing guys along with him, and those guys do that for us.”

Paceman Riley Meredith (5-96) was the pick of the Tigers bowlers who fought back to take 6-101 on the third morning after the Bulls were 4-357 overnight.

Bazley’s timely catch was vital in the scheme of things as rain was forecast for the final day of the clash, and the Bulls needed wickets.

Peirson’s innings knocked the stuffing out of the visitors who were left with too much to do to save the game.

Paine’s performance was typical of a master of his craft.

The former Test captain was hardly noticed, as all good wicketkeepers are, but when a chance came his way the 37-year-old pounced to reveal that he has lost none of his touch despite a lengthy absence from the game.