Queensland vs South Australia: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne out early as Bulls rolled for 95 in Sheffield Shield final

Usman Khawaja has made just two runs as Queensland crumbled in the first innings of the Sheffield Shield final in Adelaide today.

The Bulls crashed out for 95 less than an hour after lunch on Wednesday’s opening day. They lost five top-order wickets in a seven-run, 34-ball span.

Queensland’s total is the smallest first innings in any shield final - their 102 against NSW in 2004-05 was the previous low.

Former Queenslander Brendan Doggett starred for SA, taking 6-31 to justify the surprise decision of McSweeney to bowl after winning the toss at Karen Rolton Oval.

Khawaja was dropped twice before being the first dismissed - he top-edged an attempted hook shot from Brendan Doggett’s bowling and Nathan McAndrew completed a superb catch, low-down at fine leg.

His wicket game days after an ugly spat between the Test veteran and Queensland officials played out over Khawaja not playing the Bulls’ last game due to a hamstring niggle.

Khawaja was accused by head of cricket Joe Dawes of actually be fit enough to play instead of using the time away from the team to attend the Melbourne Grand Prix.

McAndrew (1-11) then struck with the ball in the next over when Marnus Labuschagne fell for a leg-side trap without troubling the scorer.

The Australian No.3, who two deliveries earlier watched a ball roll from his pads onto leg stump without dislodging a bail, flicked to leg gully where Jake Lehmann took the catch.

Next ball, Jack Clayton pushed defensively and set off for a run only to be sent back by Angus Lovell - cover fielder Liam Scott swooped, threw down the stumps, and Clayton was run out for a golden duck.to have the visitors reeling at 3-16.

Just five balls later, the Queensland carnage continued when Lovell (eight) edged to wicketkeeper Alex Carey as Doggett (2-12) struck again - the Bulls had lost 4-3 in 15 balls.

And just 19 balls later, Ben McDermott (four) joined the list of batting failures when caught and bowled by Jordan Buckingham (1-11).

After being 5-64 at lunch, Doggett soon dismissed Jimmy Peirson (13) lbw and Michael Neser (34), caught at first slip by McSweeney, before McAndrew removed Jack Wildermuth (10) in the next over.

Doggett then completed his sixth five-wicket haul in first-class ranks by bowling Mitch Swepson for a duck and he ended the Queensland innings by outing Mark Steketee (12) .

In reply, SA lost Hunt and McSweeney to catches behind the wicket from the Bulls’ impressive young paceman Callum Vidler, who has 2-6 from six overs.

The South Australians are seeking to collect the state’s first shield since 1995/96 while chasing an historic double after winning the red-ball and one-day competitions in the same season.

SA, who defeated Victoria in the 50-over final on March 1, have never achieved the double - Western Australia (five times), NSW (four times) and Victoria (twice) are the states to complete the feat.

McSweeney said he opted to bowl because the pitch at Karen Rolton Oval on Adelaide’s city fringe could offer some early assistance to pacemen.

“It’s a great wicket but I think if our bowling attack can get anything out of it, it will be in the first hour and hopefully we can do some damage,” McSweeney said.

SA made two changes from their side that downed the Queenslanders at the same venue last week, with Lloyd Pope and Henry Thornton dropped for returning paceman Brendan Doggett and allrounder Liam Scott.

“Ultimately with finals, hard decisions have to be made and hopefully the team we picked can do the job,” McSweeney said.

The Queenslanders are without Matthew Renshaw, whose wife is awaiting the birth of their second child.

Bulls captain Labuschagne said he would have batted if he won the toss.

“It’s a nice wicket and if we can get through this morning’s period, I think there’s runs to be had,” Labuschagne said.

Teams

South Australia: Nathan McSweeney (capt), Henry Hunt, Conor McInerney, Jason Sangha, Alex Carey, Jake Lehmann, Liam Scott, Ben Manenti, Nathan McAndrew, Brendan Doggett, Jordan Buckingham.

Queensland: Marnus Labuschagne (capt), Usman Khawaja, Angus Lovell, Jack Clayton, Ben McDermott, Jimmy Peirson, Michael Neser, Jack Wildermuth, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Callum Vidler.