Vince Rugari
at the Gabba
Western Australia are in control of their Ryobi One-Day Cup clash against Queensland at the Gabba, with the hosts chugging along at 3-110 in pursuit of 285 after 25 overs.
Warriors pacemen Jason Behrendorff (2-22) and Nathan Rimmington (1-17) rattled the hosts early on, dismissing both the Bulls' openers inside the first seven overs.
But Joe Burns (50 from 65 deliveries) and Nathan Reardon (37 off 44) put together a productive partnership for the fourth wicket, steadying the home side with a solid 66-run stand.
Burns in particular was brutal at times, smashing four boundaries and one six on his way to his maiden domestic one-day half century.
Reardon, on the other hand, was somewhat fortunate to be still around - on two separate occasions he skied the ball towards the economical Rimmington in the field only for it to bounce just short.
Chasing 285 for victory, Queensland already had an uphill battle ahead of them - but it was made even more difficult after their top-order collapse.
Stand-in skipper Ryan Broad, filling in for captain James Hopes and usual deputy Peter Forrest, lasted just two deliveries before he was gloved behind by Luke Ronchi for a duck.
Despite a steady start to his knock, Andrew Robinson (19 off 22) followed when he mistimed a drive and was caught out at backward point by Nathan Coulter-Nile, while Chris Lynn (6) was trapped lbw shortly after.
Rimmington was brilliant with the ball for the Warriors, while spinner Michael Beer was also tight with his two overs before the halfway mark of the innings, allowing just seven runs.
But Ryan Duffield (0-41 from six overs) was the least economical of WA's attack and opened the door for Burns and Reardon to inch the hosts back into the contest.
Queensland Innings
Broad c Ronchi b Rimmington 0 (2)
Robinson c Coulter-Nile b Behrendorff 19 (22)
Burns not out 50 (65)
Lynn lbw b Behrendorff 6 (17)
Reardon not out 37 (44)
Extras: 8
Total: 110 (3 wickets; 25 overs)
FOW: 1-3 2-29 3-44
Bowling
Duffield 6 - 0 - 41 - 0
Rimmington 7 - 0 - 17 - 1
Behrendorff 5 - 0 - 22 - 2
Coulter-Nile 5 - 0 - 22 - 0
Beer 2 - 0 - 7 - 0