Queensland end defending champions' reign

Queensland 4 for 110 (Symonds 38*, Simpson 34, Dwayne Smith 2-18) beat New South Wales 7 for 56 (Daniel Smith 20*, Rimmington 3-13) by 54 runs
Scorecard

New South Wales' title defences of both the Big Bash and the Champions League are over after Queensland routed them in a rain-reduced nine-over a side clash at ANZ Stadium. The Blues' pursuit of 111 was made impossible by a wonderful spell from Man-of-the-Match Nathan Rimmington (3 for 13) before the star import Daniel Vettori added to his three outfield catches with a wicket in two overs that cost just seven runs to break local hearts.

The defending champions failed dismally in their first game, finishing at 7 for 56 in front of a record crowd of 29,743 that had to wait 90 minutes for the rain to subside. When it finally did Queensland batted first in a nine-over slog-fest that began shrouded in smoke from an ill-thought-out pyrotechnics display.

Bulls captain Chris Simpson elevated himself to open and provided some fireworks of his own as he walloped 34 from 14 balls to get the innings off to a quick start. Andrew Symonds (38) and Lee Carseldine (25) struggled with their timing early on a very slow surface, but both cleared the rope in the eighth over before Dwayne Smith (2 for 18) bowled a crafty ninth to rattle Carseldine's and Craig Philipson's stumps as the visitors were restricted to 110.

In the reply David Warner started brightly by taking nine off the first four deliveries, including a mammoth six. But Rimmington removed Phillip Hughes with the fifth ball of the first over, skying a catch to Vettori, before striking gold with Warner pulling the next ball straight to Philipson at short fine leg. Rimmington's second over was his coup de grace, with him beating Moises Henriques twice with two outswingers before scratching his outside edge with a third.

New South Wales' night was best summed up by the run-out of Phil Jaques, who dived for his crease only to bury his bat short of safe ground in the rain-softened turf, allowing the bails to be removed with his outstretched glove still short. The Bulls then removed Ben Rohrer and Steven Smith in the next five scoreless deliveries to embarrass the hosts.

Queensland joined Western Australia and Victoria with two wins each. Victoria's net run-rate is the inferior of the three and they must beat Tasmania at the MCG on Friday, while the winner of Saturday's crucial clash between the Bulls and Western Australia should decide who will host the preliminary final.