BRISBANE, Oct 16 AAP - Brendan Nash can't match the size or reputation of his famous classmates and teammates but he became Queensland's unlikely star in the Pura Cup cricket clash with NSW at the Gabba today.

Nash batted through the first day, posting an unbeaten 141 as the Bulls reached 4-299 after being sent in to bat.

It was Nash's second first-class century but his most mature, outshining well-known teammates Jimmy Maher (39), Andrew Symonds (42), Martin Love (27) and Stuart Law (14).

The son of a Jamaican Olympic swimmer, Nash was born in Perth, raised in Cairns and schooled at Brisbane's Nudgee College in the same year as AFL Brownlow Medallist Jason Akermanis and Wallaby flyhalf Elton Flatley.

The 24-year-old left-hander, holding down the place of Test opener Matthew Hayden, is the shortest and lightest member of the Bulls squad and he became the thorn in NSW's side.

"It was really tough batting early on and the wicket wasn't as flat as it looked," Nash said.

"It was just a matter of concentrating and there were times when I had bad patches of about five overs but I came through and I'm pretty happy with the way I stuck at it."

Nash survived 282 balls in 370 minutes against a Blues attack which struggled to take quick wickets on a greenish deck.

Don Nash (2-39) and Nathan Bracken (1-52) kept the brakes on the batsmen early after the Blues began without Stuart Clark, who was ruled out hours before the match with an ankle injury.

Rookie Doug Bollinger (0-46) made a sound first-class debut in Clark's place while leg-spinner Stuart MacGill (1-93) toiled for 28 overs, earning a reward when he had Love caught at slip.

MacGill almost had Nash twice in the final session but the Queenslander survived sharp chances at 104, 115 and 133 to leave the Blues lamenting their missed opportunities.

They were relieved to abort another demolition job by Symonds, who smacked five fours and one six in a run-a-ball innings after tea.

But, as happens too often for Symonds, he provided a regulation dismissal just when he seemed to be scoring with ease, edging Don Nash to Michael Clarke at second slip.

Lee Carseldine (17 not out) then joined Brendan Nash for the one-hour journey to stumps, with Nash knuckling down in the final overs.

He has been a fringe player for the Bulls since rejecting an approach from the West Indies two years ago, when fast bowling great Courtney Walsh asked him to consider a switch.

"Queensland had given me an opportunity and I wanted to take that with both hands," Nash said.

The Bulls were grateful today as Nash built on the promise shown when he made 96 in last season's Pura Cup final win over Tasmania.

© 2002 AAP

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