Western Australian paceman Jason Behrendorff has snared the key wicket of James Hopes to leave Queensland struggling at 6-136 at the dinner break on day one of the twilight Sheffield Shield clash at the WACA Ground.
Warriors paceman Nathan Rimmington (3-19) was the chief destroyer earlier in the day after claiming three wickets in the space of five balls, while fellow speedster Michael Hogan took two wickets.
Queensland batsman Chris Hartley is unbeaten on 40 and Michael Neser is on nine, but the pair will return to the crease with the challenge of facing the experimental pink ball under lights in the final session of the day.
Hopes departed shortly before dinner for 22 when his mistimed pull gifted Marcus Harris an easy catch in the deep.
Veteran speedster Hogan started the rot in the second over of the day when he dismissed opener Joe Burns for a duck.
The Bulls were able to crawl past 40 without any further loss, but they were looking for answers once Rimmington was introduced into the attack.
Greg Moller (19) became Rimmington’s first victim when his wild slash out wide only resulted in an edge, and Peter Forrest (0) was sent packing next ball when he was struck on the pads after failing to offer a shot.
Rimmington’s hat-trick ball was a fizzer – slow and wide – but he made amends next over by catching the edge of Marnus Labuschagne’s bat (21).
The onslaught continued Rimmington’s good start to his summer after the 31-year-old claimed seven wickets in the recent Shield win over Tasmania.
Queensland’s run rate during the first session was just 1.85, but they were able to pick up the pace a little during the middle session.