Cricket

Queensland survive early fright to down SA in Shield

By Steve Larkin

Oct 21, 2026

Bulls celebrate against South Australia — The Bulls survived an early scare to hunt down a small target against South Australia. -AAP Image

Queensland have overcome an early fright in a run chase to bank a six-wicket win against defending champions South Australia in the Sheffield Shield.

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Set 111 runs to win, the Bulls crashed to 4-29 before two cool heads prevailed to clinch victory before tea on day three at Adelaide Oval.

Experienced duo Jimmy Peirson (48no) and Jack Clayton (37no) Â combined to steer the Bulls to 4-114.

Paceman Xavier Bartlett took seven wickets for the game, following his nine victims in Queensland's two-wicket loss to WA last week.

"It was a bit disappointing not to get the boys over the line, we were so close there in WA," Bartlett said.

"But to come out and contribute to a win - it's always nice to get the first win on the board."

SA posted 203 in the first innings and Queensland replied with 238.

The match swung on Tuesday afternoon when the Bulls reduced South Australia to 7-90.

"I didn't think that was the way the arvo was going to go yesterday, to come out and string together some really good overs and see the back of some quality players early," Bartlett said.

"The key throughout the whole game was try to take wickets in the first 20-25 overs when that ball was new and hard, and we made the most of that.

"We came out like a bull out of a gate there and were lucky enough to get ahead of the contest."

South Australia resumed at 7-104 on Wednesday and were bowled out for 145 after resistance from lower-order batsmen Ben Manenti (39) and Henry Thornton (28).

Bartlett collected 5-52, Jem Ryan took 3-24 and Cameron Gannon followed his five wickets in the first innings with 2-39.

But Queensland stumbled early in their chase of the small total, losing their initial four wickets in a span of only 25 runs.

Opener Hugh Weibgen was out for a duck and Angus Lovell (six), Hugo Burdon (19) and Lachlan Hearn (three) soon followed to leave the visitors teetering at 4-29.

But Clayton and Peirson then produced a decisive, unbroken 82-run partnership.

SA opener Henry Hunt left the field after copping a fearsome blow on the head while fielding at short leg.

Hunt instinctively ducked into a brace position when Clayton cracked a pull shot, the ball striking the South Australian on the top of his helmet.