InMobi

Rain ends Blues outright chase

Inclement weather killed off NSW's chances of back-to-back Bupa Sheffield Shield victories over Queensland on Monday, as Usman Khawaja again failed to enhance his Test prospects.

http://livescores.cricket.com.au/summary_2934_10.html

After losing half of the opening day on Friday to bad weather, and being forced from the field on several occasions on Saturday, intermittent rain on the fourth and final day ended any hope of either side grabbing six points.

NSW will take first innings points on the back of Ryan Carters' superb 154 in their score of 9(dec)-397, which earned them a 91-run first innings lead.

But they will rue the poor weather which cost them a chance at securing rare consecutive outright victories over Queensland, following last week's 150-run victory.

Play was called off following a heavy downpour one over after tea which surprised ground staff, with water getting onto the pitch before they were able to cover it.

Queensland were 3-123 chasing 313 for victory, with Chris Lynn (40no) and Peter Forrest (29no) thwarting the Blues' best efforts.

Doug Bollinger (1-20) continued his bright form to remove opener Greg Moller for one before Steve O'Keefe had Nathan Reardon (22) caught off a mistimed slog sweep.

Khawaja looked to be a major roadblock for the Blues before he threw away his wicket. The 26-year-old's form in the Ryobi Cup tournament shot him into contention for an Ashes spot, but selectors have no desire to change their top six after the monster 381-run win in the opening Test at the Gabba and Khawaja is hardly forcing their hand either.

The left-hander, who has played nine Tests, again compiled a good start before carelessly slashing at a wider delivery from Sean Abbott (1-27) to be caught behind for 25.

Earlier, NSW suffered a mini-collapse in line with England's effort at the Gabba when they lost four wickets while adding just two runs to go from 1-170 to 5-172 in the space of four overs.

The carnage was inspired by former Test offspinner Nathan Hauritz (4-93) and the desire to add quick runs. First-innings centurion Carters matches team-mate Nic Maddinson’s top score of 67, but in the end, it mattered little, as rain washed away any hope of a result.