Aussie Test stars fail in Sheffield Shield final disaster
After a wild build-up to the Sheffield Shield final, the fireworks started early on Wednesday with Aussie Test stars wiped out.
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Test batsmen Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne both failed as Queensland made a horror start to the Sheffield Shield final against South Australia.
Sent into bat by SA skipper Nathan McSweeney at Karen Rolton Oval, the Bulls slumped to 5-22 in the 15th over and were bowled out for 95 early in the second session.
Former Bulls paceman Brendan Doggett was the chief destroyer for the hosts, taking 6-31 off 11.5 overs.
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All-rounder Michael Neser top-scored for Queensland with a breezy 34 off 37 balls, but he received little support, with only three other Bulls players – Jimmy Peirson (13), Mark Steketee (12) and Jack Wildermuth (11) – reaching double figures.
Earlier, Bulls opener Khawaja was dropped in the slips twice before falling for just two from 28 balls when he was caught on the fine-leg boundary by Nathan McAndrew off the bowling of paceman Brendan Doggett.
It had been an incredibly dramatic build-up to the final for the Test opener after his feud with Queensland Cricket officials went public last week.
Worse was to follow for the Bulls after Khawaja’s dismissal, with McAndrew capturing the wicket of Labuschagne for a duck.
The Queensland captain was caught at leg slip by Jake Lehmann to leave his side at 2-16 in the 11th over.
The wickets continued to tumble, with Jack Clayton run out (0), Angus Lovell (8) and Ben McDermott (4) also falling cheaply.
Former South Australian paceman Chadd Sayers said in commentary: “Jack Clayton with a silly run-out.
“I know nerves play a part, but when you hit it straight to cover and run when your side is in trouble already...”
Alex Ross added: “It can’t be put down to anything more than nerves in a Sheffield Shield final for the youngster.”
The Bulls went into the match without star batsman Matthew Renshaw, who stayed in Brisbane for the birth of his child.
Khawaja returned to the Bulls side after missing Queensland’s previous match, also against SA at the same venue, with a hamstring problem.
SA left leg-spinner Lloyd Pope and fast bowler Henry Thornton out of its team, with Doggett and all-rounder Liam Scott called into the 11.
Originally published as Aussie Test stars fail in Sheffield Shield final disaster
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