Fekete, Dunk put Bulls to the sword

Tasmania opened their domestic one-day cup campaign in dominant fashion, with the Apple Islanders benefiting from the unexpected availability of opening bowler Andrew Fekete who starred in the nine-wicket win over Queensland at North Sydney Oval on Monday.

Fekete put Queensland on the back foot from the start of their innings claiming three early wickets, before eventually ending with the figures of 4-30 from 9.3 overs.

Tasmania made light of Queensland's poor showing with the bat, and eased past the total with 14 overs to spare.

Sent in to bat by George Bailey, the Bulls suffered a big blow in the second over when opener Joe Burns was removed for a first-ball duck, caught by debutant Jake Doran off the bowling of Fekete.

Tigers quick Sam Rainbird joined in the action two overs later, handing Doran his second catch when Marnus Labuschagne departed for 10 in his first one-day match for the Bulls.

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James Faulkner celebrates the wicket of Nathan Reardon // Getty Images

A double strike from Fekete removed Chris Hartley (5) and stand-in skipper Peter Forrest (5) to have the Bulls floundering at 4-21, before Ben Cutting and Nathan Reardon briefly stemmed the flow of wickets with a 37-run partnership.

However, their slow and steady progress came to an end when the pair was removed within three balls of each other, leaving Queensland 6-58 in the 20th over.

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Fekete was the stand-out with the ball // Getty Images

James Hopes and Simon Milkeno led the fightback for the Bulls, frustrating Tasmania with a 74-run stand took Queensland past 100.

Another double strike from the Tigers sent both Hopes (34 off 53) and Milenko (40 off 69) back to the dugout, before late cameos from Cameron Boyce (28 not out off 22) and Luke Feldman (33 off 28) gave the Bulls a burst before they were dismissed for 196 off 48.3 overs.

Fekete, who was aiming to make his Test debut in Bangladesh this month until the tour was called off for security reasons, took three top-order wickets in his first spell before finishing with impressive figures of 4-30 off 9.3 overs.

He maintained a miserly economy rate of 3.16 as he took 4-30 off 9.3 overs, while Evan Gulbis (2-26) and James Faulkner (1-18) were also economical for the Tigers.

Dunk then top-scored with an unbeaten 104 off 101 deliveries, including four sixes, while Dominic Michael scored 51 not out.

Last season Dunk cracked the competition's maiden double century as the same two sides scored over 800 runs at North Sydney in a match won by Queensland.

"It was a good toss to win, and there was a little bit in it (for the bowlers)," said Fekete. 

"There was a little bit of swing and nibble in the wicket, and we made the most of the new ball.

"I felt like I had good rhythm. The conditions were in our favour, and I didn't have to do anything out of the ordinary.

Fekete's figures provided a major confidence boost for the Test aspirant who was denied a possible international debut after Australia's two-Test tour of Bangladesh was cancelled last Thursday for security reasons.

Fekete was a strong chance to debut with both Mitchell Johnston and Josh Hazlewood unavailable due to injury.

"It was disappointing not to get over there and tour with the Australian squad and perhaps play in a Test match," Fekete said.

"It was good opportunity and timing so it is disappointing, but it is understandable circumstances and out of my control.

"It makes it difficult with those two (Johnston and Hazlewood) coming back, and only four bowlers available for selection. I probably don't see myself in that (First Test) squad (against New Zealand).

"All I can do is keep playing well for Tasmania and keep knocking on the door."