Queensland veterans James Hopes and Chris Hartley helped put the Bulls in a commanding position in a fluctuating Sheffield Shield final against Tasmania at the Gabba on Sunday.
The Tigers went to the tea break on day three in deep trouble at 6-115 – a slender lead of 80 runs – after Bulls skipper Hopes claimed two wickets, including the prized scalp of former Test captain Ricky Ponting for six.
In the first ball of his spell, Hopes (2-33) clean-bowled Ponting as the Tigers skipper played across the line and missed an inswinger.
The medium-pacer also dismissed James Faulkner (3) while Test quick Ryan Harris snared his first wicket of the decider – Nick Kruger caught in slips for a duck – and Steve Magoffin sent Steve Cazzulino (4) back to the pavilion.
Test opener Ed Cowan (47 not out) and Tom Triffitt compiled a 51-run partnership before Harris (2-32) went around the wicket to have Triffitt (35) caught in the slips by Andrew Robinson, his third catch of the innings.
Regular first-drop Alex Doolan (15) batted at No.7 after experiencing back spasms on Sunday but he never looked comfortable, eventually caught hooking in the deep off the bowling of first-innings hero Alister McDermott.
Earlier on Sunday, Hartley sparked the hosts’ stunning revival with a superb knock of 111 in difficult batting conditions under grey skies to guide the Bulls to a first innings total of 276 – a handy lead of 35 runs.
Magoffin, despite suffering a back strain, chipped in with a valuable 31 in a 97-run partnership with Hartley, who was the last man dismissed when trapped lbw off the bowling of Jackson Bird (4-56).
It was a remarkable turnaround considering the Bulls had slumped to 5-55 in the second session on Saturday.
Queensland only need a draw to claim their seventh Shield title but a result appears certain in an up and down clash.