Queensland has been robbed of certain victory on a dramatic final day at Drummoyne Oval with skipper Usman Khawaja remonstrating with the umpires who called off play due to bad light with the visitors requiring 16 more runs.
The Bulls were set 26 from five overs after they bowled NSW out for 256 with Moises Henriques stranded on 99 having survived 280 deliveries against a quality Queensland attack.
Queensland openers Matt Renshaw and Joe Burns refused to leave the pitch after the umpires called an early end to play as Sydney’s miserable weather robbed the Bulls of outright victory.
The start of play had been delayed earlier because of persistent showers and gloomy skies, but the teams were able to eventually take the field as Henriques and Matthew Gilkes (48) toiled hard for 50 overs to frustrate the visitors.
But Mitchell Swepson (5-113) broke the partnership and the wickets flowed thanks to some spectacular catching behind the wicket before Swepson wrapped up the tail to leave Henriques one run short of a thoroughly deserved century.
“I just wanted to face as many balls as possible,” Henriques said.
“Neither of the last two guys who got out owe me a drink.”
That left Queensland needing roughly five runs an over with the Blues pushing all the fielders back on the boundary, which was in contrast to when the Bulls had seven guys around the bat when Swepson was bowling.
The Blues got through two overs before umpire Greg Davidson broke Queensland hearts when he brought out the light meter, much to the dismay of the opening batters who were happy to bat in the fading light.
The players mulled around the wicket before play was eventually called off at around 6.40pm local time with the Bulls furious given they were minutes away from reeling in the total.
A padded up Khawaja debated the decision with the umpires for a few minutes afterwards but it was to no avail as the match finished in a draw.
“It’s not the result we wanted,” Bulls all-rounder Michael Neser said.
“The result is frustrating, but that’s how it goes sometimes.
