Slater back at full strength

Test opener Michael Slater showed he is back to full strength with his dashing century for New South Wales against Tasmania in their Sheffield Shield cricket match in Hobart here Wednesday.

Slater, who was taken to a specialist last week after suffering breathing problems and a panic attack at Australia's training camp, scored 100 before giving spinner Daniel Marsh a return catch from a leading edge.

It was Marsh's third caught and bowled, all from full tosses that moved and dipped in the stiff breeze, as he almost singlehandedly stopped NSW from dominating on the second day of the five-day fixture.

At stumps, the match was evenly poised with NSW at 193 for four in reply to Tasmania's first innings of 362, of which Test batsman Ricky Ponting made an unbeaten 187.

Mark Waugh, 7 not out, and Michael Bevan, 4 not out, will continue at the crease on Thursday.

Tasmania can be happy with the outcome of the day after Slater and Corey Richards put on an opening stand of 146. The partnership ended when Richards, on 69, punched a full toss and Marsh moved quickly to his right to grab it low down.

Steve Waugh went similarly for seven.

Slater continued on to reach his century in 212 minutes with 12 boundaries.

Elsewhere, Matthew Hayden and Jimmy Maher compiled an unbeaten double-century partnership to pilot Queensland to a 10-wicket victory over Victoria in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Hayden knocked up 118 and Maher 103 to steer champions Queensland to their second win of the season.

Their 229-run partnership overtook the 179-run first-wicket stand of Kepler Wessels and Martin Kent against Victoria in 1981/82.

The victory pushed Queensland to 14 points, eight points clear at the top of the standings.

The home side was set a target of 229 in 59 overs after dismissing Victoria for 326 in their second innings after lunch.

Mail Cricket Editor