Bulls gorge on records in racking up 900

Victoria 344 and 2 for 38 trail Queensland 6 for 900 dec (Maher 223, Watson 201, Perren 173, Love 169) by 518 runs
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A record 329-run partnership between Shane Watson and Clint Perren lifted Queensland to barely believable heights © Getty Images

Queensland's two-year Pura Cup revenge is almost complete as they batted and battered Victoria into submission, boredom and a certain second place at the Gabba. With their 6 for 900 declared , the Bulls reached the state's highest score and the 11th biggest in first-class history.

Shane Watson's 201 and Clinton Perren's 173 continued the gorging and the pair shared a state-record partnership of 329 for the fourth wicket, which ended only when Watson retired hurt with cramp. Jimmy Maher, who started the demolition with 223 and needs only a draw to gain the trophy, promised to "bat and bat and bat" and the declaration was ignored as the Bulls charged through scores rarely reached.

Victoria hammered 710 over three days at the MCG on the way to winning the 2003-04 final, but Maher's side made that total look like a small one as they tortured their opponents for 242 overs. Queensland's previous best score was 687 against New South Wales at Brisbane's Exhibition Ground in 1930-31.

Watson stayed long enough to pick up his second first-class double-century - and his maiden one for Queensland - in an innings of 342 balls with 23 fours and a six. Perren was more attacking towards the end of his display, blasting five sixes and ten fours, as they took the score from 3 for 531 to 860 before Andy Bichel replaced Watson.

Bichel was promoted in the hope of getting a season double of 50 wickets and 500 runs, but he made only 3 and was followed by James Hopes and Perren as Dirk Nannes doubled Victoria's wicket tally and finished with 3 for 150. The declaration eventually came when Chris Hartley and Daniel Doran pushed to 900.

"It was almost surreal," Maher told AAP. "Guys were looking today and seeing it tick over to 750, 800, 850. It's amazing, 900. We could have easily have gone on to get a thousand, really. It was tempting but we wanted to have a bit of a crack at them tonight. It's a phenomenal day. One I think we'll remember for a long, long time."

The moods of the visitors were already Lake-Eyre low as they started their second innings 556 behind, but they were drained further by the loss of the openers Jason Arnberger and Lloyd Mash. Mitchell Johnson, one of two Queensland players who didn't bat, picked up both wickets as Victoria went to stumps at 2 for 38.