Cutting rips through tail as Bulls roar to second

Queensland 7 for 547 dec beat New South Wales 269 and 149 (Khawaja 41, Hopes 5-34) by an innings and 129 runs
Scorecard
Points table

Queensland wasted little time moving into second place after sealing an innings-and-129-run victory over New South Wales before lunch on the fourth day. The Bulls gained the final five wickets to drop the Blues for 149 and they will enter the final round with a four-point buffer.

Victoria host Queensland from Thursday while the Tigers, the only other team capable of meeting the Bushrangers in the final, head to Adelaide. The Blues resumed at 5 for 86 and needed another 192 to make Queensland bat again, but could manage only 53.

Hartley's tenth catch of the match came when Usman Khawaja, who followed his century in the first innings with 41, made a mistake off Chris Swan. Daniel Smith was taken on 16 by Ben Cutting and Moises Henriques' resistance finished on 39 when he was bowled by Ben Laughlin.

Grant Lambert missed a straight one from Cutting, who ended the match when Burt Cockley edged to Shane Watson, and he claimed 3 for 29. Hopes could not add to his five wickets on Saturday and finished with match figures of 9 for 114.

The victory was set up by Martin Love's goodbye to the Gabba of 219 not out, which drove Queensland to 7 for 547. Hartley added to his fine game with the gloves by posting a career-high 121.