NSW let Bulls off the hook in Shield
Australia's bowling attack remain bullish for the summer Test showdown with India despite letting Queensland off the hook in NSW's Sheffield Shield clash in Canberra.
In what was an important red-ball hit-out for Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, the Blues dismissed Queensland for 260 on Saturday's second day at Manuka Oval to hold a 19-run first-innings lead.
Just over two weeks out from the first Test against India, it was the quartet's first game together as a unit since the third Test against South Africa in March in Cape Town.
The Blues head into day three with a 52-run lead and will resume at 0-33 with openers Daniel Hughes (12) and Nick Larkin (20) at the crease.
But they should have led by more after the Bulls' tail wagged late.
"I think we've shown once we bowl all together and bowl well, more often that not, we're going to get 20 wickets," Cummins said.
"The thing that really helped us last year in the Ashes was how well we batted - we had big breaks between innings.
"We've got plenty of guys that are scoring runs in Shield cricket and who debuted (against Pakistan) over in the UAE.
"I'm not too worried."
While Test aspirants Matt Renshaw (21) and Joe Burns (6) couldn't make the most of what appeared to be ideal batting conditions, the Bulls' lower order refused to turn belly up.
Their bottom four batsman contributed 116 of their side's 260-run total, allrounder Michael Nesser top scoring with 62 and unheralded pair Mark Steketee (41) and Brendan Doggett (13) chipping in with valuable knocks.
Cummins removed Steketee and Mitchell Swepson in the space of three balls to have Queensland at 9-211, however the Blues seemed to lack a killer instinct when the match was there for the taking.
With Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft out through suspension, Australia's bowling unit will carry a massive load at home against India and Sri Lanka.
Despite their failure to land a killer blow on day two, Cummins said he felt ready for the upcoming Tests.
"For me, I'll bowl a spell of bouncers, a spell with the old ball just before the new ball, so I got that practice in; I got some miles in my legs," Cummins said.
"It was a really good hit-out. It feels like I've covered most of the areas you're going to get in a Test match.
"I know what sort of space I'm in so great hit-out before India."
