Bulls in strong position at tea against Blues

Little-known opening batsman Brendan Nash pushed Queensland into a promising position against NSW on the opening day of the Pura Cup cricket match at the Gabba today.

At tea, the Bulls were 2-176 with Nash batting through both sessions for 91 not out after Queensland had been sent in by new Blues skipper Simon Katich.

Nash was the anchor for the Bulls, outlasting captain Jimmy Maher (39) and Martin Love (27) and showing some aggression against leg-spinner Stuart MacGill (1-49 from 16 overs).

The 24-year-old left-hander raced past 50 with three boundaries, hitting against the spin, from one MacGill over before hitting two fours from the next over sent down by Nathan Bracken (0-20).

Nash was following his excellent 96 against Tasmania in the Bulls' Pura Cup final victory last season.

Stuart Law was unbeaten on nine at tea, playing a record-breaking 124th interstate match for Queensland.

The Bulls did not give a chance until Maher edged Don Nash (1-26) down the legside to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin in the second over after lunch.

Nash and Love then added 79 runs in a stylish partnership before MacGill was rewarded by claiming Love to a sharp catch at first slip by Michael Clarke.