Queensland 6 for 130 (Neser 30*, Sutherland 2-28) lead Victoria 63 (Steketee 5-18, Neser 4-22) by 67 runs
The fringe Test hopeful put on 42 with Jimmy Peirson after the Bulls had fallen to 5 for 79 and in danger of spoiling their barnstorming start. Neser and Steketee entered the clash as the leading wicket-takers this season and their reputations were further enhanced following a magical few hours in Brisbane on Thursday.
Steketee finished with 5 for 18 off 11 overs while Neser returned figures of 4 for 22 off 12.4 overs. Only three of Victoria’s batters reached double figures in what was their fourth-lowest total on record.
Neser started the carnage by bowling Travis Dean for a duck with the third ball of the day. The in-form Marcus Harris followed soon after, closing the face too soon and ballooning a leading edge to Marnus Labuschagne at cover.
Peter Handscomb entered the match with 518 runs to his name this season at an average of 172.7. But he was out for 5 when trapped lbw by Neser, leaving Victoria rocking at 3 for 5. Alarm bells rang ever louder when Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper fell cheaply to leave Victoria at 5 for 13 after nine overs.
Amazingly, the damage could have been even worse for Victoria. Harper was lucky to survive a strong lbw shout when he shouldered arms to a Steketee delivery that seamed back sharply in line.
The Bulls also dropped two catches during the morning session – both off the bowling of Neser.
Neser would have had figures of 4 for 4 had Usman Khawaja held onto a sharp chance at third slip when Will Sutherland was yet to score. The star paceman then watched on in agony as another chance went begging – this time when Khawaja and Joe Burns clattered at slip to drop a Mitchell Perry edge.
Queensland moved to 0 for 39 in their reply before losing Burns and Matt Renshaw in consecutive overs shortly before tea. Labuschagne’s indifferent start to the summer continued and when Khawaja edged Cameron McClure behind the visitors were back in the contest.
