Hunt shines with century but debutant Whitney aids Queensland fightback
The opener batted throughout the day but the visitors wobbled in the final session
AAP
20-Oct-2024
Henry Hunt led South Australia's innings with a century • Getty Images
South Australia 289 for 7 (Hunt 130*, McInerney 51, Whitney 3-51) vs Queensland
Opener Henry Hunt scored a century to hold the South Australia innings together before Queensland struck back with the new ball to leave honours even after day one of the Sheffield Shield match in Brisbane.
Hunt remained resolute throughout to end unbeaten on 130 as the visitors reached 289 for 7. He brought up his ninth first-class century with a six despite taking 236 balls to reach three figures in a watchful knock.
Queensland concluded a long day in the field at Allan Border Field taking 4 for 24 at one stage during the final hour.
South Australia lined up with Jake Lehmann returning after a 2nd XI century in place of Test star Travis Head ahead of the impending arrival of his second child. There were also changes to the bowling line-up with Liam Scott and Wes Agar replacing Lloyd Pope and Brendan Doggett.
Queensland made two changes for their first home match of the Shield campaign with injured allrounder Jack Wildermuth and rested pace bowler Tom Straker omitted. Batter Lachlan Hearne and debutant paceman Tom Whitney came in for the pair.
Queensland failed to take advantage of winning the toss, with new skipper Marnus Labuschagne sending South Australia in to bat and the visitors putting on a century opening stand.
Conor McInerney and Hunt scored at barely 2.5 runs an over in reaching 106 before the former was caught behind for 51 off Test aspirant Michael Neser.
Captain Nathan McSweeney posted 37 only to offer Jimmy Peirson a second catch, this time delivering a debut wicket for Whitney. It became two wickets in successive overs for Whitney when he bowled Daniel Drew for a duck.
The scoring rate didn't pick up until Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey arrived at the crease just after the tea break. He was eventually undone by Neser's first over with the new ball, offering a simple catch to mid-off from a leading edge.
Carey looked comfortable in his 42 off 63 balls, having also scored 90 and 111 in the season opener.
Mark Steketee achieved a similar dismissal in the following over as Lehmann's attempted flick to leg ended up in a catch at gully and a second-ball duck for the middle-order batter.
Steketee then bowled Scott for 9 and Whitney knocked over Ben Manenti for 7 as South Australia lost 4 for 49 from 15 overs against the new ball.
The 21-year-old Whitney was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 51.