Blues quicks halt Bulls in Test upside

AUSTRALIA’S depleted Test bowling ranks received a boost as Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins helped fire NSW to a comfortable four-wicket win against one-day cup leaders Queensland at Drummoyne Oval yesterday.

NSW reached 6-178 off 39.1 overs to earn a bonus-point win and revive what has been a modest campaign for the holders so far.

In his first match of the summer, Hazlewood bowled with venom and accuracy to claim 2-30 off his 10 overs as Queensland were bowled out for 172 off 47.1 overs.

Hazlewood was rested for the start of the summer and had six weeks away from cricket following last month’s disastrous tour of Sri Lanka, but the paceman immediately settled into his rhythm yesterday.

Cummins – whose sole Test appearance was in 2011 – once again impressed, taking 4-26 and earning player of the match honours after missing last season through injury.

Injuries have left Australia’s bowling options wafer-thin for the first Test of the series against South Africa starting on November 3.

Doug Bollinger (3-38) was the third Blues paceman to impress, with only Michael Neser (47) offering resistance for Queensland.

In reply, NSW put on 55 for the first wicket, with opener Ed Cowan (51) the only player to hit a half-century.

The Blues’ run chase briefly stalled but Moises Henriques (35) and Peter Nevill (24) steadied the ship.