Queensland bats crash against SA in shield final

Queensland lost five wickets in 34 balls as SA justified the surprise decision of captain Nathan McSweeney to bowl after winning the toss at Karen Rolton Oval.

Test mainstays Usman Khawaja (two) and Marnus Labuschagne (duck) were among the Queensland casualties.

Khawaja was dropped twice before being the first dismissed - he top-edged an attempted hook shot from Brendan Doggett's bowling and Nathan McAndrew completed a superb catch, low-down at fine leg.

McAndrew (1-11) then struck with the ball in the next over when Labuschagne fell for a leg-side trap.

The Australian No.3, who two deliveries earlier watched a ball roll from his pads onto leg stump without dislodging a bail, flicked to leg gully where Jake Lehmann took the catch.

Next ball, Jack Clayton pushed defensively and set off for a run only to be sent back by Angus Lovell - cover fielder Liam Scott swooped, threw down the stumps, and Clayton was run out for a duck.

Just five balls later, the Queensland carnage continued when Lovell (eight) edged to wicketkeeper Alex Carey as Doggett (2-12) struck again - the Bulls had lost 4-3 in 15 balls.

And some 3.1 overs later, Ben McDermott (four) joined the list of batting failures when caught and bowled by Jordan Buckingham (1-11).

Veterans Michael Neser, who launched a counter-attack with five fours in his unbeaten 31 from 28 balls, and Jimmy Peirson, who is nine not out, are tasked with rescuing the visitors.

The South Australians are seeking to collect the state's first shield since 1995/96 while chasing an historic double - winning the red-ball and one-day competitions in the same season.

SA, who defeated Victoria in the 50-over final on March 1, have never achieved the double - Western Australia (five times), NSW (four times) and Victoria (twice) are the only states to complete the feat.