Jack Edwards’ maiden five-wicket haul has put New South Wales in a dominant position on day one of their rain-affected Sheffield Shield opener against Queensland in Silverwater.
The 23-year-old claimed 5-24 from 11 overs in overcast conditions as the tourists crawled towards 7-159 at stumps on Wednesday, with wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson (25*) and seamer Gurinder Sandhu (3*) unbeaten overnight.
Blues captain Moises Henriques won the toss and elected to bowl first on a green wicket at Cricket Central, a decision he may have been regretting when Bulls openers Bryce Street and Matthew Renshaw combined for a 56-run partnership.
However, Edwards removed every member of Queensland’s top five, including Test hopeful Renshaw with his first delivery of the day, in a damaging spell of 5-14 from 54 deliveries. The right-armer had never previously taken more than three wickets in a first-class innings.
MATCH CENTRE: New South Wales vs Queensland, Sheffield Shield scorecard
“It’s been nice to piece it all together and get off to a good start,” Edwards told Fox Cricket at stumps.
“I’ve been working really hard for a number of years, and starting to see some progress.
“Cricket is a fickle game that can change quickly, so I’m trying to enjoy it.”
Australian Test opener Usman Khawaja was lucky to survive on 5 when the umpire missed an apparent outside edge, but the left-hander ultimately fell victim to Edwards on 30.
“It was pretty obvious to me,” Edwards laughed.
“I tend to think that everything’s out. Got there in the end.”
Queensland looked destined to be rolled before stumps, only for rain to force a premature end to day one after just 58 overs of play.
Earlier in the day, veteran bowler Jackson Bird was presented with his long-awaited maiden baggy blue, becoming the 767th cricketer to represent NSW in the Sheffield Shield.
Bird helped Edwards develop his bowling action throughout the pre-season, specifically working on his wrist position and body alignment, which has helped the all-rounder generate an extra yard of pace.
“It’s been great working with him,” Edwards continued.
“He’s a very clever bowler and extremely skilful, so it’s nice to pick his brains and learn a few things here and there.”
Edwards kicked off his summer with a blistering 92 (63) during last week’s Marsh Cup opener against Tasmania at Junction Oval, also snaring two wickets in the one-sided affair. He backed it up with 2-39 during Friday’s loss to Victoria at the same venue.
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Day two of the Sheffield Shield clash between NSW and Queensland resumes on Thursday morning, with the first ball scheduled for 10am AEDT. The Blues are hoping to end a winless streak of 12 consecutive Sheffield Shield matches, which stretches back to early 2022.
“I don’t want to jinx it, but hopefully it keeps nipping around,” Queensland all-rounder Michael Neser told Fox Cricket.
“You never know with conditions down south here. They can flatten out, and it can be a different game come day two.”
Elsewhere in the Sheffield Shield, Tasmania’s Charlie Wakim scored a rapid 110 (144), his second first-class hundred, to help the Tigers secure a first-innings lead against South Australia at Karen Rolton Oval.
Redbacks seamer Jordan Buckingham claimed a career-best 7-71 from 23.1 overs, with Tasmania bowled out for 381 in response to South Australia’s 307.
The hosts are 3-47 at stumps on day two, still trailing Tasmania by 27 runs.
PUCOVSKI’S SUCCESSFUL RETURN FOR VICS
– Ed Bourke, NCA Newswire
Prodigious batting talent Will Pucovski has impressed in his first game back for Victoria, making 39 on the first day of the clash against WA in Perth.
Playing first-class cricket for the first time in 12 months after a string of concussion and mental health setbacks, Pucovski opened the batting and began fluently along with Travis Dean against a second-string WA attack at the WACA.
He successfully navigated a challenging spell from debutant left-arm quick Liam Haskett before the lunch break, but fell shortly after the interval, playing all around a full delivery at off-stump from Aaron Hardie after an 108-run opening stand.
Hardie, who got his first taste of international cricket on Australia’s limited overs tour of South Africa last month, quickly followed with the wicket of Campbell Kellaway in his next over to claim 2-21 from 11 overs.
Dean and Peter Handscomb put on 54 before Haskett claimed his maiden first-class wicket, bowling Dean for 87.
Victoria went to tea at 3-187 after being sent in by Warriors captain Sam Whiteman.
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