Unstoppable Bulls ram home advantage

Queensland will take an unassailable first innings lead of 240 with seven wickets remaining into the fourth, and penultimate, day’s play at the Gabba tomorrow.

Led by a record 297-run stand between Bulls veterans Jimmy Maher and Martin Love, Queensland have all but assured themselves of a Pura Cup victory, with their mammoth score of 3/584 at stumps.

Love, whose last Test appearance for Australian was marked with his only century then his dumping, equaled the feats of his skipper as he registered his 40th First Class Hundred in his 10th Domestic Final. His innings was one of grace, class and patience, hitting 24 fours in exactly 7 hours in the middle.

At 98, Love raced through for a dicey single, only to injure his hamstring. Despite requiring a runner for the rest of his innings, he wasn’t going to stop the assault on the Victorian bowlers, finally being caught behind of the innocuous bowling of Nick Jewell for 169 from 291 deliveries.

Starting the day at 159, Maher managed to sustain his enthusiasm for runs, surpassing his previous best First Class Score, 221, until he was dismissed only two runs later, caught behind from the bowling of Mick Lewis.

The stand was the highest second wicket partnership ever recorded against Victoria.

The Victorian bowlers didn’t look threatening all day, with Lewis, Dirk Nannes and Shane Harwood all going for over 100 runs.

This was further exemplified when newcomers to the crease Shane Watson and Clinton Perren eased their way through to stumps without any troubles.

Watson, looking for a recall to the Australian Test squad, was sharp and keen for a high score, hitting 10 boundaries on his way to an unbeaten 73, while Perren finished the day on 24, the pair having already shared a 53 run partnership.

Regardless of being out in the field for over five sessions, the Bushrangers stuck to the task at hand, with Captain Cameron White sharing the bowling opportunities around, trying to find a spark.

All Victorians, bar wicketkeeper Nathan Pilon, Jason Arnberger and Lloyd Mash were handed the pill at different stages, with only Lewis and part-timer Jewell able to make a breakthrough.

Seeing that Victoria need to win this game outright, and Queensland only need a tie or draw, the Bulls are in an enviable position with only two days remaining.

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!