Australian Test fast bowling spearhead Ryan Harris turned in a strong performance as Queensland moved to the top of the one-day cup ladder with a dominant 90-run win over South Australia at North Sydney Oval.
Queensland scored 8-273 before a confident all-round bowling effort saw South Australia routed for just 183, with the Bulls also picking up a bonus point.
Only an unlikely half-century from No.10 batsman Adam Zampa (66) saved the Redbacks from complete embarrassment as he and Peter George put on a tenth-wicket stand of 57.
The Queenslanders shared the spoils among five wicket-takers with off-spinner Nathan Hauritz claiming the best figures (3-31).
However, it was Harris, featuring in just his second match since a two-month break, whose performance was under the most scrutiny ahead of next month’s first Ashes Test against England in Brisbane.
Despite a modest return of 1-36 off eight overs, Harris bowled with good speed and bounce under the watchful eye of Australia coach Darren Lehmann.
Harris, who starred in Australia’s 3-0 Ashes series loss in the UK prior to injuring a hamstring, said his bowling and fitness were still a work in progress.
“It felt better today than the other day,” he said.
“I still have a bit of work to do and a lot more bowling to do yet and the more I do the better I should get.”
Harris picked up the early wicket of Michael Klinger, the competition’s highest run-scorer helping to kick-start a steady flow of wickets.
Earlier, some late-innings big-hitting from Queensland captain James Hopes (49no) and Ben Cutting (39) helped the Bulls set a target of 274, with 65 runs peeled off during the final five overs.
Cutting, having played a stunning knock of 98 not out off 48 balls at the same venue last weekend, seemed set to repeat the dose before skying into the deep after striking four sixes and facing just 30 balls.
Hopes also batted intelligently, scoring at nearly a run-a-ball while opener James Peirson top-scored with 85 off 102 deliveries.
Despite the small ground it was spin that made the difference for South Australia in the middle part of the Queensland innings.
Redbacks skipper Johan Botha claimed three quick top-order wickets with his off-spin before finishing with 3-42 off ten overs.
The immediate playing future of the South African all-rounder is set to be determined this week after he was recently reported for a suspect bowling action.
Former NSW leg-spinner Zampa took 2 for 28 off eight overs.
“I thought we did well to restrict them to 270, so a positive bowling and fielding effort but we let ourselves down with the bat,” said Zampa.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Ferg hasn't played a game. Crazy stuff
davros
Guest
you raise a very good point...I havnt really been following oz in india much...I see the whole thing as quite irrelevant and very poor timing..much prefer the local domestic....even though they have stuffed that as well ...ie how do you gauge warners ton yesterday played on a road and a postage stamp ground (albeit a beautiful one ) ? So Fergs not getting a Guernsey ? and south oz is crying out for someone of his skill ...let alone he has no chance to press his claims...Im running out of words for Cricket oz
Brendon the 1st
Guest
SA have played ok, but this was effectively a dead rubber for them after the close losses earlier in the cup, the game against Tassie was a ripper. Once ferg and Phil are back we'll be a good four day side. Begs the question, if Ferg Isn't playing in India at the moment then why aren't they flying him back for the ryobi cup? Another batsmen being wasted by CA, if he only gets the one shield game because he's the backup batsmen I'll be disgusted.
Dan Ced
Guest
Klinger still top of the run scorers regardless of only getting 20-odd. White got ANOTHER 80 something! a 1 score man.
davros
Guest
along with hughes you can add ferg to that list as well ...South oz don't have the depth of other states ...but I fully believe if they had both those players available they would be more than competitive ...they lost 2 games on the second last ball ..that could have gone either way ...agreed the Bulls look strong ...I don't know how there players continually miss out on rep duties..having said that it is a total batsman s game on these small suburban grounds with road type pitches
Praveen
Guest
Well said bearfax, bulls are just playing well as a unit, both khawaja and Pierson have been great at the top, Lynn has showed good form in te middle and cutting in my view is a ODI all founder now , Hopes is leading the side well
Bearfax
Guest
Arent South Australia missing Hughes. If Klinger fails to score big as he did for one of the first times this season yesterday, it seems the Redbacks fall like a deck of cards. The Bulls on the other hand are showing their form in recent years is no aberration. They are deservedly on top of the comp. Their new opening pair arrangement of Khawaja and new comer Pierson is consistently getting them off to a good start (is this Khawaja's best position averaging just under 50 for this comp including three half centuries in quick time?). Add to the bating some solid displays from Hopes and Lynn, a few remarkable performances with the bat by Cutting and of course Burns no doubt to come back, and a tough bowling trio of Harris, Cutting and Hauritz. They are looking good indeed.