Sutherland’s Steve Smith has defied the critics with a commanding century against Queensland on day one of the day-night Sheffield Shield game at the Gabba.
Australia captain Smith (117) combined with in-form St George batsman Kurtis Patterson (111) to help the Blues rebound from the early losses of openers David Warner (12) and Ed Cowan (10).
NSW declared at 7-327, with Saints all-rounder Moises Henriques dismissed for 11, to give their pacemen including St George pair Trent Copeland and Josh Hazlewood a crack at the Queenslanders.
But the Bulls earned themselves first innings points thanks to a century from Test opener Joe Burns (129), declaring at 6-330.
Copeland picked up the wicket of Australian batsman Usman Khawaja (79), while Hazlewood showed he is also in good form heading into the first Test snaring 4-70 from his 22 overs.
Copeland finished with 1-79 from his 25 overs.
NSW were 0-156 in their second innings.
Smith told Fairfax Media prior to the match the Shield game would be a good chance for NSW’s and Queensland’s Australian contingent to acclimatise to the pink ball under day-night conditions. Australia face South Africa in a day-night Test in Adelaide before returning to the Gabba for a day-night Test against Pakistan later this summer.
"It's a great opportunity to see how the ball reacts up in Brisbane," Smith said.
"We played a [day-night] shield game in Adelaide last year and the day-night Test in Adelaide as well.
"With the Test match being in Brisbane this year I think it gives us a great opportunity to see how the ball reacts, how the conditions are and what different tactics you can take into a Test match, potentially."
