Test quick Michael Neser has ripped through Victoria’s top order, with Queensland making a huge statement on day one of their Sheffield Shield clash.
In the first red-ball match at the MCG since the Boxing Day Test debacle, bowlers again dominated proceedings in Thursday’s first-class fixture.
Neser, who shone in three Ashes Tests this summer, took 3-3 in his scintillating opening spell and was on a hat-trick as table-topping Victoria were reduced to 5-11 in the 12th over.
The hosts steadied a little to reach 7-61 at stumps in reply to Queensland’s first-innings total of 149, with stand-in captain Peter Handscomb (25) and Sam Elliott (7) the not-out batsmen.
Neser ended the day with figures of 3-9 from nine overs with four maidens.
Tom Straker (2-24), Jem Ryan (1-9) and Hayden Kerr (1-13) also did some damage as Queensland took the points on day one.
In a further blow for Victoria, who were already without Test quick Scott Boland and rested captain Will Sutherland, they lost top-order batter Tom Rogers to a broken finger.
Michael Neser finished day one with 3-9 off nine overs. (Getty images: Josh Chadwick)
Rogers took three catches in the field on Thursday — two days after his spectacular one-handed effort in the 50-over clash between the same teams — but was unable to bat and was substituted out of the game.
Victoria had looked on top when they sent Queensland in and bowled out the visitors in 60 overs.
Test stars Usman Khawaja (19) and Marnus Labuschagne (10) were both out before lunch, when Queensland were 2-77.
Elliott (4-43) channelled Steve Smith’s quirky hand gestures when he dismissed Labuschagne, turning to celebrate the wicket in the Queensland captain’s direction.
The remaining eight Queensland wickets tumbled for just 72 runs in an action-packed second session, as Khawaja’s opening partner Hugo Burdon top-scored with 43.
David Moody (3-24) and Fergus O’Neill (2-25) were Victoria’s other multiple wicket-takers.
AAP