Bulls bats in trouble

A BATTING collapse has left Queensland in a vulnerable position at the dinner break of their Sheffield Shield pink-ball clash with Victoria.

The Bulls were 9-156 after a disastrous first two sessions on the opening day, with their trio of Ashes hopefuls the first three men dismissed.

Rain delayed the resumption of the match after the dinner break.

Skipper Usman Khawaja has topscored with 40 but fell some way short of the big innings he needed to kickstart his Test selection push, while openers Joe Burns (3) and Matt Renshaw (17) struggled on a tricky greentinged wicket at the Gabba.

Luke Feldman ( 6 not out) and debutant Brendan Doggett (9 no) were at the crease, with an early dinner taken in anticipation of a series of thunderstorms that were due to hit southeast Queensland.

Scott Boland did most of the damage, grabbing 4-34, while Chris Tremain had figures of 3-35.

Khawaja had looked comfortable, coming in at 2-43 in the 16th over and helping to steady the ship after the loss of Burns and Renshaw.

The 30-year-old left-hander hit seven boundaries but was again brought undone by spin, with Fawad Ahmed tempting him into an edge to Peter Handscomb to halt all of Queensland’s momentum.

The home side went on to lose their next five wickets for 33 runs but a late salvo from spinner Mitch Swepson (29) helped pad out its total.

Burns faced just 12 deliveries before he continued his poor Shield run against Victoria by clipping a tentative shot towards Handscomb.

Renshaw had negotiated some tough early overs but also nicked one to Aaron Finch at third slip off Boland.

Renshaw, 21, was thought to be a certainty for the first Ashes Test but bowling coach David Saker said on Wednesday his spot could be in jeopardy if he struggled and his competitors found form.