Cavalier half centuries to Rob Quiney and Glenn Maxwell has guided the Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers to a total of 301 on the opening day of their Bupa Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia.

In reply, the Warriors are 2-6, having faced five probing overs prior to stumps, with Jimmy Pattinson removing Liam Davis for two and Nathan Rimmington for a duck with the final ball of the day.

Having lost skipper Cameron White prior to the coin toss, along with Test paceman Clint McKay who was rested after shouldering a heavy work load during the first three games of the season, the Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers were invited to bat by Marcus North on a wicket the Warriors believed had some early life in it.

However, a 61-run opening stand between Chris Rogers and Quiney appeared to have exposed that rationale before the Warriors hit back throughout the day with neither side able to take control of proceedings.

Rogers was the first man to fall after looking in sublime touch early, departing for 19 from 56 balls and was followed shortly after by Aaron Finch (three), who was caught in the cordon.

Stand-in captain David Hussey led the fight back with Quiney prior to the lunch break, but upon their return, the veteran right-hander was given out caught behind for 19.

Despite wickets regularly falling around him, Quiney was the backbone of the innings and appeared destined for a second Shield century of the season before he was dismissed for 92.

His sparkling knock featured 13 boundaries in a stay that required just 119 balls.

With Quiney in the sheds, the Warriors appeared to have the upper hand, but Maxwell and in-form gloveman Matthew Wade kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Fresh off his man-of-the-match performance against Tasmania, Wade accumulated 29 before he was bowled by Mitch Marsh.

Maxwell refused to be inhibited, however, as he played a number of brazen pull shots and drives before eventually falling for 61 from 80 balls.

The competition's leading wicket taker this season, Jayde Herrick, then demonstrated his worth with the bat as he chimed in with 39 late in the day, while debutant Scott Boland finished nine not out including two boundaries.

Play will continue tomorrow morning between the Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers and Western Australia at the MCG.

11 NOVEMBER, 2011