Scott Boland was in fine form as Victoria dismissed Queensland for 190 at the Gabba
Boland helps give Bushrangers the edge
Australian one-day quick Scott Boland has lit up a gloomy Gabba to give a depleted Victoria the upper hand in their top of the table Sheffield Shield clash against Queensland.
At stumps on a rain-hit day one, the ladder leading Bushrangers were 1-27 after Boland (4-44) helped the visitors bowl Queensland out for 190 on a slow deck.
"He's been great for us. He played for Australia and played a long season but he keeps moving forward for us," Victoria coach David Saker said.
Quick Single: Sheffield Shield table
Queensland's former Test quick Peter George bowled Travis Dean for 11 when the Victorian opener failed to offer a shot late on Saturday.
But the Bushrangers had all the momentum thanks to the inspirational Boland.
Victoria needed someone to lift in their crunch clash after Peter Handscomb became their fourth captain of the season.
He was forced to take over the reins of a Bushrangers outfit without regular skipper Matthew Wade (personal reasons) and Test quicks Peter Siddle (back) and James Pattinson (shin).
Enter Boland.
He helped Victoria rip through the tail when Queensland resumed after the tea break at 4-122.
At one stage Boland removed danger man Sam Heazlett (45) and Mark Steketee in three balls.
Test opener Joe Burns (six) fell cheaply to Boland after Queensland in a morning session restricted to just 18.1 overs due to rain.
Showers also disrupted the middle session.
Saker's only complaint was a couple of dropped chances, namely Chris Lynn on one.
Thankfully for Victoria, Lynn was later dismissed for just 21.
A win by second-placed Queensland would put them only one point behind the Bushrangers going into their final round clash at home.
However, an outright victory by Victoria would ensure them top spot and a final berth.
Day two play will start 40 minutes earlier in a bid to make up for lost time.
Queensland: Matthew Renshaw, Joe Burns, Charlie Hemphrey, Chris Lynn, Sam Heazlett, Jack Wildermuth, Chris Hartley (capt), James Hopes, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Peter George. 12th man: Michael Neser.
Victoria: Travis Dean, Rob Quiney, Marcus Stoinis, Peter Handscomb (capt), Cameron White, Dan Christian, Sam Harper, Chris Tremain, Scott Boland, Fawad Ahmed, Jake Reed. 12th man: Jon Holland.