Half centuries by Shaun Marsh and Sam Whiteman have steered Western Australia out of trouble on the opening day of their Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at Allan Border Field.
Whiteman (66 not out) and Australian Test batsman Marsh (61 no) combined for an unbeaten fifth-wicket stand of 124 runs to guide the Warriors to a respectable total of 4-225 at stumps.
Sent in to bat by the Bulls in stifling conditions, WA were struggling at 4-103 at tea before Marsh and Whiteman took control of proceedings, taking the score past 200 in the 88th over.
The Bulls took the new ball in the next over but couldn't snare a breakthrough before stumps, leaving the contest evenly balanced heading into day two.
Queensland dominated the morning session with James Hopes trapping WA opener Marcus Harris in front for two and legspinner Cameron Boyce dismissing Cameron Bancroft for 15 with a plumb lbw decision to give the Bulls the upper hand heading into the lunch break.
Michael Klinger (28 off 110 balls) and Adam Voges (42 off 90 balls) made starts but were both sent back to the pavilion in an uninspiring middle session.
Pacemen Peter George and Mark Steketee also claimed one wicket each with skipper Hopes the pick of Queensland's bowlers with 1-23 off 17 overs including six maidens.
The hosts require an outright victory in order to keep up their final chances and will be looking to make early inroads on day two with the new ball only seven overs old.
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