Bulls claim bonus point against the Blues

Queensland 7 for 262 (Hopes 102, Buchanan 40*, Bollinger 2-48) beat New South Wales 197 (O'Brien 55, Thornely 47, Hopes 3-40) by 65 runs
Scorecard

James Hopes' first limited-overs century and some outstanding new-ball bowling from Andy Bichel were the catalysts for a Queensland victory against New South Wales at the Gabba. The Blues were all out for 197 and the 65-run win earned the Bulls a valuable bonus point, easing their initial concerns that the 7 for 262 would not be enough on a good batting pitch.

New South Wales slumped to 3 for 12 within six overs after Bichel, who picked up 2 for 21, claimed the vital early breakthrough when Phil Jaques got a thin under-edge to the wicketkeeper Chris Hartley. Bichel also had the New South Wales captain Brad Haddin caught behind in the third over after Craig Simmons was bowled by Scott Brant.

The offspinner Chris Simpson (2 for 30) tied down the middle order before Aaron O'Brien (55) and Dominic Thornely (47) gradually rebuilt the innings. In the 35th over New South Wales scored 24 from the debutant Michael Buchanan to give them a glimmer of hope. Daniel Christian (32), playing his second one-day match, hit two fours and two consecutive sixes off Buchanan but after that the batsmen offered little resistance. Hopes claimed 3 for 40 to close the innings and earn a bonus point.

Hopes had set up the win after he was promoted to open in the absence of Matthew Hayden, making 102 from 108 balls, including 11 fours and two sixes over midwicket. However, his dismissal sparked a mini-collapse with the Bulls losing 3 for 2 before Buchanan, the son of Australia's national coach John Buchanan, showed some spirit with an unbeaten 40 from 38 balls.

Stuart Clark made a dream start to his first match back after a thigh injury by taking the key wicket of Jimmy Maher, who was caught at slip, with his first ball. But things went downhill for Clark and he finished with 1 for 65 after some costly final overs.

Haddin said his side would not dwell on the loss in the lead-up to the Pura Cup clash with the Bulls on Friday. "We had no enthusiasm and there's really no excuse," he said after the game. "The wicket was outstanding and the outfield was outstanding as well, we were just very poor."