Gilkes lifts New South Wales' hopes of avoiding record winless run

Wicketkeeper Matthew Gilkes posted his highest Sheffield Shield score to lift NSW from a precarious position on day one of their Sheffield Shield match against Queensland.

NSW, who require victory at the Gabba to avoid a record winless run, were lurching before Gilkes's innings helped them reach 9 for 311 at stumps.

Gilkes, whose previous best in an 18-match first-class career was 83, reached his seventh half-century only to be dismissed minutes before stumps for 94.

Gilkes struck 14 boundaries in a 160-ball knock before directing a Xavier Bartlett delivery into the hands of Joe Burns.

NSW were struggling at 5 for 134 and with all five recognised batters back in the pavilion after Queensland elected to send the visitors in to bat. Gilkes added 60 for the sixth wicket with Hayden Kerr (24).

Chris Green followed up his maiden half century last week with 52 as he and Gilkes added another 91 for the eighth wicket.

Queensland bowled a consistent line and length during the morning session to leave NSW 3 for 70 at lunch in a session that included the key scalp of heavy-scoring opener Daniel Hughes (21).

Other batters failing to build on starts were Kurtis Patterson (31), Moises Henriques (23) and Jason Sangha (34).

Queensland lined up with two debutants in the form of Aryan Jain and teenage offspinner Jackson Sinfield.

The latter, who came into the side in place of Test call-up Matt Kuhnemann, picked up 3 for 70 with NSW skipper Patterson being his first Shield victim when he chipped to midwicket.