New Zealand's Cricket Academy took on the look of an Invitation XI for their match against the Queensland Academy of Sport on Bert Sutcliffe Oval today.

Injury problems among the Academy bowlers forced Academy director Dayle Hadlee to scour far and wide to make up the bowling numbers and Central Districts player Brent Hefford, Otago's Craig Pryor and Canterbury's Chris Harris came to the aid of the side.

They didn't have to wait too long to get into the action on a clear, cool morning with the snow-capped Southern Alps providing a stunning backdrop.

Queensland won the toss and decided to bat and by day's end could feel well satisfied with their efforts having reached 267/4.

Hefford, the steady Central Districts pace bowler, demonstrated his accuracy by bowling three consecutive maidens at the start of the innings while Wade Cornelius bowled aggressively, if less accurately, at the top end. Hefford's opening spell of seven overs was miserly, with only seven runs conceded.

The Queensland openers batted like players well used to the demands of four-day cricket, batting with patience but also being prepared to punish anything loose. They brought up their 50 in 68 minutes.

Taraia Robin proved the most successful of the New Zealand bowlers and claimed the wicket of Lance Kahler when he edged the ball to third slip where Jonathan McNamee took a good low catch.

By the lunch break Queensland were 83/1 with opener Daniel Payne on 39.

Another 50-run partnership was achieved after lunch as Chris Simpson joined the opener in working hard defensively and Payne's 50 came up after 142 balls and 150 minutes dedicated batting.

The 100-run partnership took 141 minutes as both batsmen built up the momentum of the innings. The second 50 was scored in 51 minutes off 99 balls.

Payne had reward for his efforts when scoring his century in 258 minutes and off 227 balls.

Queensland went to tea at 199/1.

The new ball offered some salvation for New Zealand and it was Hefford who achieved the breakthrough in a second wicket partnership worth 156 runs as Payne fell to a catch at mid on from a mis-timed pull shot. He departed for 123.

Simpson, ever watchful, brought up his fifty in 207 minutes, off 176 balls with three fours and a six.

Queensland skipper Brendan Nash looked to lift the scoring impetus but lost Simpson for 61 from 217 balls when he was caught behind by Reece Young from Robin's bowling.

Nash was surprisingly dismissed in the final over for 30 when he cut Robin straight to Harris in the gully.

Robin's reward at the end of the day was three wickets for 50 runs and while the other bowlers were not so successful they were accurate and refused to let the Queenslanders off the hook.

© CricInfo