Australia's depleted Test bowling ranks received a boost as Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins helped fire NSW to a comfortable four-wicket win over one-day cup leaders Queensland at Drummoyne Oval on Friday.
NSW reached 6-178 off 39.1 overs to earn a bonus-point win and revive what has been a modest campaign for the holders so far.
In his first match of the summer, Hazlewood bowled with both venom and unerring accuracy to claim 2-30 off his 10 overs as Queensland were bowled out for 172 off 47.1 overs.
Hazlewood was rested for the start of the summer and had six weeks away from cricket following last month's disastrous tour of Sri Lanka, but the paceman immediately settled his rhythm on Friday.
Pat Cummins - whose sole Test appearance was in 2011 - once again impressed taking 4-26 and earned player of the match honours after missing last season through injury.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
A run of injuries has left Australia's bowling options wafer-thin for the first Test against South Africa on November 3.
Doug Bollinger (3-38) was the third Blues' paceman to impress, with only Michael Neser (47) offering resistance for Queensland on a challenging batting wicket.
In reply, NSW put on 55 for the first wicket with opener Ed Cowan (51) the only player to hit a half-century.
The Blues' run-chase briefly threatened to derail - with their cause not helped by a groin injury suffered in the field by batsman Ben Rohrer - but Moises Henriques (35) and Peter Nevill (24) steadied the ship.
Rohrer (10 not out) batted at No.8 and cleared the fence with a pull shot for the winning runs.
"Today I thought we had a really complete performance and if we keep going like that hopefully we can win the next two and make the semis," Cummins said.
"I have felt great so far, and the body feels better and better with each game. The ball is coming out well so I couldn't be happier."
Cummins said Hazlewood immediately found form despite his break from the game, adding that his presence brought confidence to the NSW team. "It is great to have him down the other end and his control is one of the best on the world at the moment and he doesn't bowl a bad ball," he said. "He looks in great form and watch out South Africa."
