Bulls bat on, Vics disintegrate

Queensland continued their stranglehold on the Pura Cup Trophy, pilling on a remarkable 900 first innings runs – the 11th highest tally in first-class cricket of any type – to demoralise Victoria, who got progressively worse as the day wore on.

Led by outstanding captain Jimmy Maher (223), the Bulls had three other century makers on their side, with Shane Watson (201) and Clinton Perren (173) stacking on the runs this morning, while the stylish Martin Love reached his ton yesterday.

Having declared at the imposing total – a whopping 556 runs ahead – Queensland had already reduced Victoria to 2/38 at stumps, with only a days play remaining.

Requiring only a draw to walk off the Gabba as premiers, Queensland’s match is as good as over, needing only another eight wickets to skittle the Bushrangers tomorrow.

Starting the day on an already monstrous 3/584, Queensland continued to embarrass the Victorians, dismantling their bowling attack as if they were up against an under-12s team.

Perren and Watson were unstoppable, adding an amazing 344 runs before the latter was forced to retire – due to exhaustion – on 201.

The pair continued where Maher and Love had left off the day prior, flaying the listless Bushrangers attack to all corners of the ground.

Victorian captain and leg spinner was punished severely by the Bulls for his decision to bat first on the opening day. Adding salt to the wound, White was clubbed for 139 off his 49 overs. But it didn’t end there.

Part-time Australian quick Mick Lewis – who knows all about being on the receiving end of a batting assault – went for 156 off his 39 overs, while rookie Dirk Nannes came back late from a fearful bashing to notch figures of 3/150.

Following a string of late wickets in the push for a massive total, the Bulls finally ended the Victorian torture, declaring at 6/900, the Bushrangers in need of the miracles of all cricketing miracles.

Having toiled away for 242 overs just to find six wickets, Victoria must have been dumbfounded at the ease in which Queensland found their early scalps – rising quick Mitchell Johnson shattering Lloyd Mash’s timber for naught, before ending veteran Jason Arnberger’s day, when caught by sub fielder Craig Philipson for two.

At 2/4, two of the Bushrangers more accomplished batsmen for the season – Brad Hodge and Nick Jewel joined forces to see their side through to stumps, still miles away – 518 runs to be precise – from the Queensland total.

With only eight wickets in hand and the likes of Bichel, Johnson and Ashley Noffke ready to snap them up, the game is as good as over.

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