Career-best bowling figures by James Pattinson set up a remarkable 10-wicket Sheffield Shield win by Victoria over Queensland at the Gabba.
In what would warm the national selectors' hearts ahead of next month's first Test against South Africa at the same venue, Pattinson (6 for 32) was at one stage on a hat-trick as the Bulls lost 7 for 32 to be routed for 125 in their second dig late on day three.
Set just 48 for victory, the Bushrangers shot down the target in just 9.3 overs, with Rob Quiney not out 25 and Chris Rogers unbeaten on 21.
It was the unbeaten Bushrangers' second 10-wicket victory in as many Shield matches.
Pattinson - who had match figures of 8 for 61 - showed no mercy as the Bulls at one stage lost 5 for 9.
Remarkably it was Pattinson's first five-wicket haul in Shield cricket.
His only other bags of five were in Tests, both against New Zealand last summer.
And he continued his love affair with the Gabba - he picked up 5 for 24 against the Black Caps on Test debut at the venue last year.
He lodged a compelling case to line up alongside Bushrangers team-mate and mentor Peter Siddle in the opening Test against the Proteas.
The modest Pattinson refused to believe a Test berth is a mere formality but he did admit to enjoying bowling at the Gabba.
"It's a fantastic wicket for a fast bowler, it's fast and it offers a bit of seam movement as well," he told Grandstand.
"So it's a fantastic start here and I'm pretty lucky that the first Test is here if I'm selected ... so hopefully that can give me the confidence heading into that first Test that I can perform well for Australia."
Siddle is expected to chime into the Test pace attack with fellow hard-hosed quick Ben Hilfenhaus against the Proteas with selectors tipped to rotate young speedsters Pattinson, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc throughout the summer.
Siddle was nursed through the Shield clash, finishing with match figures of 4 for 57 off just 20 overs.
But he also did plenty of damage with the bat - he hit 54, his second-straight half century, in a 112-run seventh-wicket stand with Matthew Wade (89) that ensured the Bushrangers claimed first innings points.
Pattinson landed body blows by striking just before lunch and tea, but the Bulls still had no idea what hit them when the young quick ran amok after the home side emerged for day three's final session at 4 for 93.
Only three Bulls batsmen made double figures in the second innings - patient opener Wade Townsend (42), Joe Burns (30) and Peter Forrest (26).
Pattinson was ably supported by John Hastings (2 for 36).
Earlier on Friday, Wade was denied a century before the Bushrangers were bowled out for 227 in their first dig.
Siddle joined Wade at the crease with the Bushrangers battling at 6 for 68 late on day one in reply to the Bulls' first innings of 149.
They resumed on Friday at 6 for 174 after rain all but washed out day two.
Luke Feldman (3 for 66), Alister McDermott (3 for 45) and Ben Cutting (3 for 47) impressed with the ball for the Bulls.
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, brisbane-4000, melbourne-3000 First posted October 12, 2012 18:58:17
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