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An starring role with bat and ball from Queensland all-rounder Jack Wildermuth and an incisive new ball spell from Michael Neser has led their side to a convincing 93 run win (DLS method) over Western Australia at the Gabba on Thursday.
The Bulls were inserted on a humid overcast morning by first time WA captain Sam Whiteman, slumping to 4-49 as Joel Paris and Matt Kelly made early breakthroughs, Joe Burns (47) and Wildermuth (66) rebuilding the innings as the home side posted 9-264.
Wildermuth struck five fours and two sixes in his run a ball knock, Burns and Jimmy Pierson having added 74 for the fifth wicket to repair the early damage.
Mark Steketee and Michael Neser each produced cameos of 23 to take the score past 250, Wildermuth's innings earlier ended by a spectacular diving catch from Cameron Green at deep backward point.
Paris was the bowling star with 4-50 from his 10 overs, Kelly with 2-64 and wickets each for Aaron Hardie and Liam Guthrie.
The Western Australia reply was delayed by afternoon showers in Brisbane, starting an hour later than scheduled with an adjusted target of 237 from 40 overs.
Having missed the last two weeks with a minor hamstring injury Neser struck in his opening over, removing Cameron Bancroft caught behind for a duck.
Cameron Green's promotion to number three in the absence of Shaun Marsh didnt pay off, the all-rounder caught at slip off Neser for four.
The seamer had his third wicket in his next over when Josh Inglis (1) chopped on to his stumps, the WA innings in tatters at 3-6 in bowler friendly conditions.
Nick Hobson struck four boundaries in his 39 ball 36 as he rebuilt the innings with skipper Whiteman after Hilton Cartwright (9) also fell cheaply to Mark Steketee.
Wildermuth returned to the attack to break the stand between the left handed pair, Hobson playing the ball on to his stumps trying to guide to third man.
Whiteman reached 50 but fell soon after when he edged Steketee to gully for 52, signalling the end of the match as a contest.
Aaron Hardie hit Matt Kuhnemann for a slog swept six but was stumped attempting a similar shot on 21, the last five wickets falling for ten runs as the Bulls claimed a bonus point victory, WA all out for 143.
Neser snared 3-10 from his six overs, Kuhnemann with 3-31 and man of the match Wildermuth with 2-36 having earlier made a crucial half century.
Western Australia next head to Sydney to play New South Wales on Sunday at North Sydney Oval in another 50 over contest, before returning home to complete their home and away domestic season with two Shield and two Marsh Cup games at the WACA.
IMAGE: The Weekly Times.