Dawes wipes out Slater magic in Pura Cup decider

BRISBANE, March 14 AAP - Queensland paceman Joe Dawes knocked over NSW's batting kingpins tonight to ensure the Bulls survived one of the best centuries of Michael Slater's career in the Pura Cup final at the Gabba.

The Blues should have been cruising at stumps on the first day after Slater scored 100 and Simon Katich supplied 82 but they ended up scurrying from the ground when bad light stopped play at 6-223 in their first innings.

It was still an impressive scorecard given the challenging batting conditions, not helped by a 95-minute rain delay, but it could have been so much better for NSW if not for Dawes (3-41).

The former police officer claimed 3-0 in nine balls, removing Test captain Steve Waugh (nine), Michael Clarke (zero) and Brad Haddin (one) with pinpoint LBW decisions.

With Michael Kasprowicz (2-79) removing Katich, the Blues were paddling during a collapse of 4-2 which had always threatened after Queensland captain Martin Love won the toss on a juicy wicket.

But Slater's good work ensured the Blues were still fighting on level terms, with the chance to edge ahead with Mark Waugh (one not out) at the crease for tomorrow's first session.

Slater's 36th first-class century wasn't one of his typically ruthless knocks. It was all patience and placement because the conditions wouldn't allow anything else.

The 33-year-old kissed the NSW crest on his helmet when he reached his century, repeating the gesture that became his trademark after his 14 Test tons.

"That's the first time I've kissed the NSW crest, but it was quite symbolic of how I felt," Slater said.

"That hundred goes down as one of the most satisfying of my career. I take a lot from it because it's been a tough couple of years.

"I've always regarded myself as someone who enjoys the big occasion and the big matches and I wanted to contribute heavily in this game.

"On a pitch like this, runs on the board are everything. It's the sort of deck where (the team) could be rolled for 100 or 90."

NSW started poorly when opener Greg Mail fell for two to Adam Dale (1-15) but Slater and Katich then unleashed a 191-run stand which could mean plenty when this match ends.

Katich batted for almost 30 minutes longer than Slater and their heavy partnership was vital for the Blues because batting wasn't easy for new batsmen.

"It was very lively and when it seamed, it seamed a long way so it was very hard batting against that," Slater said.

"It wasn't dangerous, it was sporting, and you had to concentrate on every ball.

"That (collapse) could have happened for us a lot earlier than it did so that's why it was crucial that we got a good partnership.

"If we can go on and get 300 it would be superb because I can't see the pitch getting much better."

Queensland had its problems before the toss when allrounder James Hopes was ruled out with a virus.

He was replaced by teenage batsman Nick Kruger, who arrived at the ground not knowing he was about to make his first-class debut.

The 19-year-old is expected to open the batting for the Bulls, who have the confidence of making 349 against Victoria in similar conditions last month.