MacGill gives Blues upper hand
Stuart MacGill spun Queensland into a Pura Cup nightmare today as New South Wales' hardened Test men set the Bulls up for a final drubbing at the Gabba.
The Blues were almost out of reach after two days of cricket when MacGill wrecked Queensland with a haul of 5-16 in 32 balls.
On the 10th anniversary of their dreadful collapse for 75 in the Sheffield Shield final at the SCG, the Bulls were knocked over for a commemorative 84 in their first innings, avoiding the follow-on by just one run.
The Blues, who squeezed 282 from their first dig, were 4-166 in their second innings at stumps.
They lead Queensland by 364 runs with another three days remaining and Steve Waugh (47 not out) and Mark Waugh (20 not out) perhaps batting together for the last time in their long first-class careers.
Steve announced at the lunch break he wanted to continue his Test career in the Caribbean next month but Mark has admitted this could be his last match.
He looks certain to go out a winner because the Bulls will have to negotiate MacGill in the second innings along with the support cast that finally brought the home team's batting undone.
Queensland had ridden on the back of Clinton Perren and some relatively modest returns from Martin Love since Christmas, while its other frontline batsmen had not been up to scratch.
They were all thrown onto beggars' row by a team driven by players who have enjoyed record-breaking success with the Australian Test team.
Steve Waugh, for all that experience, was still annoyed by comments from an unruly spectator and stopped the match to ask umpire Peter Parker to refer his complaint to security staff.
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