Recent Match Report – Queensland vs West Aust 9th Match 2021/22

Michael Neser, who will be in the frame for the Test squad, limped out of the Queensland attack

Western Australia 2 for 108 trail Queensland 129 (Khawaja 70) by 21 runs

Neser was one of three injuries during the day with Joel Paris also suffering a hamstring strain having done the early damage to Queensland with two wickets in two balls including Marnus Labuschage first ball.

Shaun Marsh was later forced to retire hurt with a calf injury early in Western Australia’s reply but having slipped for 2 for 18, Green and Josh Philippe produced the most confident partnership of the day to stitch together an unbroken 90 through to stumps.

Seven of Queensland’s top eight had fallen in single-figures as they were undone by an accurate pace attack that exploited conditions well. Paris had Bryce Street playing on trying to leave then Labuschagne pushed forward first ball to edge behind.

Joe Burns played a poor stroke, miscuing a pull to mid-on, while both Matt Renshaw and Jimmy Peirson edged to the keeper off Lance Morris – the latter falling to a terrific catching in front of first slip.

Cameron Bancroft also did very well to hold an edge off Jack Wildermuth as third slip came across in front of him and when Neser’s wild slash gave Richardson his third three figures looked unlikely for Queensland.

But Khawaja, who has scored two centuries this season, took charge in what was a strong riposte to Ian Chappell questioning his credentials. In all he struck 11 boundaries before picking out long leg searching for another. The last three wickets helped him add 73.

That looked significant when Neser struck first ball to remove Bancroft and when Gurinder Sandhu produced a good delivery to claim debutant Jayden Goodwin, the son of Murray, the game felt wide open with Marsh also back in the dressing room.

However, Green and Philippe were excellent for the rest of the day. Green’s footwork was compact and confident while Philippe was composed against some testing bowling although Queensland lost a little control late in the day which ended with Labuschagne bowling medium pace in Neser’s absence.