USMAN Khawaja posted his 43rd First Class century yesterday to have Queensland well poised after day one of its Sheffield Shield clash against Tasmania. The 38-year-old was dismissed late in the day for 127, spearheading the visitors’ ongoing total of 6-309 at Bellerive Oval.

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After a lean run of domestic Test scores against India, Khawaja’s turnaround in form continued – but not without a bit of luck. The opener survived an almighty shout on just 11 as he appeared to edge a Gabe Bell delivery behind. Needless to say, he took full advantage of the non-decision.

Khawaja combined with Lachlan Hearne for an innings-high partnership of 110, with the latter posting a new top Shield score of 74 before being run out by Kieran Elliott. His wicket was one of three in the last 15 overs, along with Khawaja and Jimmy Peirson (14), who departed in the final set of six.

Queensland will look to consolidate its solid first innings total as Michael Neser (10) and Jack Wildermuth (4) resume play on day two. Beau Webster (3-54) is Tasmania’s sole multiple wicket-taker, while Mitchell Owen (1-19) and Bell (1-51) have also gotten in on the action.

Over in Perth, the clash between second-placed Western Australia and New South Wales (third) is moving along quickly. The hosts were bundled out for 196 on day one at the WACA but have the Blues 3-17 after a nervy 14 overs where two nightwatchmen were used.

Lance Morris lit up the night session with 2-2 from his three overs, removing Nic Maddinson (4) and Ryan Hadley (1). Test opener Sam Konstas was the first to go, though, brought undone by Joel Paris (1-8) for just six. Kurtis Patterson (5) will resume play alongside nightwatchman Liam Hatcher (0).

Earlier, New South Wales sent WA in to bat and Jackson Bird gave his all to justify the decision. The 39-year-old took 3-22 and very nearly had a hat-trick as Cameron Gannon played his first ball agonisingly close to the stumps. Bird took his competition-high wicket tally to 33.

WA had faltered to 7-139 but a rearguard effort of 42 from Joel Curtis helped boost the total over 150. He top-scored alongside Ashton Turner after no batter in the top five passed 25. The hosts are chasing an unprecedented fourth-straight title in the six-team era, and a win would all but put them in the final.

Ladder leaders South Australia succumbed to two late Scott Boland strikes to be 2-40 at stumps in response to Victoria’s 285 at Junction Oval. In a must-win game for his fourth placed side, Boland removed both South Australian openers for a total of one run before finishing the day with 2-11.

The SACAs, who already have one foot in the final, will resume on day two with Jason Sangha (19) and Nathan McSweeney (9) at the crease. The pair dug in on a green-top wicket to survive a sketchy 76-ball period, facing 45 and 52 deliveries respectively against the Vics’ seam attack.

Victoria started the day with the bat and despite losing Marcus Harris for nought, rallied to be 2-142 through Campbell Kellaway (79) and Blake Macdonald (45). That was before Jordan Buckingham struck with two wickets in an over, backed up by another from Henry Thornton in the next set of six.

The Vics lost wickets in clumps but got solid runs out of the lower order, headlined by Sam Harper (44) and Xavier Crone (34*). Thornton (4-42) and Buckingham (4-70) continued to be the chief destroyers as Brendan Doggett and Ben Manenti also claimed a wicket each.

DAY ONE SCORECARDS

TASMANIA vs. QUEENSLAND
Bellerive Oval, Hobart

Tasmania won the toss & elected to bowl.

1st Innings: Queensland 6-309 (95)
Usman Khawaja 127 (221), Lachlan Hearne 74 (119), Ben McDermott 24 (59)
Beau Webster 3-54 (19), Mitchell Owen 1-19 (5), Gabe Bell 1-51 (23)

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VICTORIA vs. SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Junction Oval, Melbourne

South Australia won the toss & elected to bowl.

1st Innings: Victoria 10-285 (69.5)
Campbell Kellaway 79 (137), Blake Macdonald 45 (86), Sam Harper 44 (33)
Henry Thornton 4-42 (12.5), Jordan Buckingham 4-70 (18), Ben Manenti 1-45 (11)

2nd Innings: South Australia 2-40 (19)
Jason Sangha 19* (45), Nathan McSweeney 9* (52)
Scott Boland 2-11 (7)

South Australia trails by 245 runs.

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA vs. NEW SOUTH WALES
WACA Ground, Perth

New South Wales won the toss & elected to bowl.

1st Innings: Western Australia 10-196 (68.3)
Joel Curtis 42 (76), Ashton Turner 42 (51), Sam Whiteman 25 (72)
Jackson Bird 3-22 (15.5), Ryan Hadley 2-21 (10.1), Liam Hatcher 2-39 (12)

2nd Innings: New South Wales 3-17 (14)
Kurtis Patterson 5* (28)
Lance Morris 2-2 (3), Joel Paris 1-8 (4)

New South Wales trails by 179 runs.