Gain ends in pain for Blues
A DAY after baring his soul to the world, Moises Henriques posted a ruthless century for NSW in its Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland.
The former Test allrounder piled on 152 before the Blues collapsed to be all out for 279 on day one at Manuka Oval.
The Bulls were 1-23 at stumps after Joe Burns (6) failed to make the most of his chance to impress the Australian selectors.
However, his dismissal was dubious after he was caught behind off a Josh Hazlewood ball that seemed to miss his bat and brush his chest.
The game was billed as a Test audition for the likes of Matt Renshaw and Burns but it was Henriques who put his name up in lights with a classy century.
Henriques on Thursday detailed his battle with depression and anxiety in an ABC interview and he seemed at ease as he brought up his eighth first-class ton.
The 31-year-old has made four Test appearances for Australia, all of which have come on the subcontinent — the last coming against Sri Lanka in 2016.
While he isn’t considered to be in the frame for a Test recall, he did his future hopes no harm after coming to the rescue for the Blues.
He arrived at the crease with his side in trouble at 2-43 on a batting-friendly deck.
He smashed 20 fours and one six in his 178-ball innings, but the Blues were ultimately bowled out for what appeared to be a below-par score.
After a day in which momentum swung like a pendulum, Renshaw (8) and Marnus Labuschagne (9) were not out at the end of play.
Renshaw was lucky to survive after being dropped by Daniel Hughes at third slip for just four. WEST Australian quick Jhye Richardson produced careerbest figures to put the brakes on a Travis Head-propelled South Australia.
Richardson captured his maiden first-class five-wicket haul as the Redbacks were bowled out for 251 yesterday, with Head making a stylish 87.
WA was 1-15 at stumps on day one at Adelaide Oval, with Shaun Marsh at 9 not out.
The 22-year-old Richardson claimed 5-47 from 22 overs as SA’s middle order crashed, losing 6-36 in a post-lunch slump.
Amid early trouble, skipper Head counterpunched, striking 13 fours in a 118-ball knock that enhanced his claims to retain his Test spot for next month’s series against India.
Head dominated a 123-run stand with opener Conor McInerney (51) but when the partnership broke, SA crashed from 2-136 to 8-172.
Jake Lehmann (8), Tom Cooper (1), Harry Nielsen (duck) and Joe Mennie (6) went rapidly before Nick Winter and Daniel Worrall rescued the Redbacks with a 79-run stand for the ninth wicket.