Queensland wicket-keeper Jimmy Peirson made it a winning end to the week to lift the Bulls to their first victory of the season with a classy unbeaten century in their One Day Cup game against South Australia at Allan Border Field.
Peirson Inspires Timely Win!
Queensland rebounded emphatically today after coming off second best to South Australia in their Sheffield Shield clash, losing by 129 runs in a gruelling first class fixture that featured a stirring debut by young paceman Tom Whitney but also added to the team's growing injury list.
The Bulls nine-wicket, bonus point win, lifted them into fourth spot and with three games to go, their season remains alive.
The One Day victory had its obvious centre-piece of Peirson's unbeaten century from 98 balls, but a player of the match effort from left-armer Liam Guthrie gave Queensland the neccesary incentive to push hard to shrug off the Shield loss.
With injuries ruling out regulars Michael Neser and Mark Steketee, Guthrie (4-15) and rookie quick Tom Straker (3-54) combined with the experience of James Bazley to take early SA wickets and slow their scoring rate appreciably.
Throw in two wickets from captain Marnus Labuschagne (bowling leg-spin) and Queensland was able to dismiss SA for 218 after 47 overs, with their highlight a stirring 137 from former Queenslander and SA captain Nathan McSweeney.
The chase started brightly, as Usman Khawaja (42) and Peirson laid the platform. The arrival of Matt Renshaw provided the ideal finishing element, as the tall left-hander batted with freedom to finish 72 not out from 52 balls.
The Shield match, while not the result that Queensland wanted, did feature a remarkable effort by debutant quick Tom Whitney who achieved the third best match figures on debut for Queensland of all time, with his 8-119 placing him behind Mick Polzin (who took 11 wickets on debut in 1986-87) and spinner Jack Stackpoole who claimed nine wickets on debut in 1939-40.