BRISBANE, Oct 16 AAP - Jimmy Maher passed his first test as Queensland cricket captain today when he led the Bulls to a promising start against NSW in the Pura Cup match at the Gabba.

At lunch on the first day, the Bulls were 0-83 with Maher on 39 and Brendan Nash 40.

It was Maher's first session in charge of Queensland since taking over the captaincy from Stuart Law and he was well supported by fellow left-hander Nash.

The pair batted through a challenging first session after new Blues skipper Simon Katich won the toss on a greenish wicket which made the Bulls cautious.

It took 27 balls for the first runs to come from the bat against Nathan Bracken (0-12 from seven overs) and Don Nash (0-12 from six) and the Bulls had scored only 30 runs when drinks were taken.

But Maher and Nash, who followed on from his 96 in last season's Pura Cup final victory, increased the scoring rate approaching the lunch break.

The Blues missed Australia A paceman Stuart Clark, who was ruled out this morning with an ankle injury, allowing 21-year-old Doug Bollinger to make his first-class debut.

Bollinger returned 0-20 from six overs while leg-spinner Stuart MacGill (0-7 from four) was promising in his first spell.

The Blues received good news before the match when young batsman Michael Clarke passed a fitness test on a back problem.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.