Blewett dominates final day

An otherwise lifeless fourth and final day of the Pura Cup match between Queensland and South Australia has been completely dominated by former Australian Test opener Greg Blewett. Blewett (260*) amassed his second highest first-class total, and equalled the highest score made by any player in clashes between the two states, as he guided the Redbacks to the safety of a tame draw.

Having arrived at the crease yesterday at the fall of the first South Australian second innings wicket and with the total on just 1, Blewett was in a position where a big score was needed to save the game. To make matters more challenging still, he found himself aligned against an attack which was full of confidence after it had helped enforce the follow-on. Even when he went to stumps at the end of the third day with a magnificent unbeaten 123 to his credit, a monumental effort on the final day was still required to put the match out of the Bulls' reach.

What followed here today was indeed a display of patience and concentration in a pressure situation that is rarely seen in the modern game. The South Australian number three batted for ten and a half hours, during which he offered his opponents almost nothing. There was a half-chance offered off bat and pad early yesterday, and he survived a confident appeal at 34; apart from that, the Queenslanders rarely came close to ending his magnificent vigil.

With Shane Deitz (106), Blewett had provided the Queenslanders with much in the way of frustration yesterday as his team began the follow-on from the hopeless position to which a 252 run first innings deficit had condemned it. And, today, he went right on with the job, first joining with Ben Johnson (45) in an eighty run partnership for the fourth wicket and then Jeff Vaughan (24) in another of seventy-nine to reel in, and leave well behind, Queensland's first innings advantage. After killing off most hopes of outright victory for the home side, Blewett then went in search of personal glory. His innings was one of complete dominance and no bowler looked like penetrating his defences on a friendly batting track; any loose ball that was available was punished with ease. From the 579 deliveries bowled to Blewett in his astonishing stay the crease, thirty were confidently struck to the boundary, and two balls even cleared the ropes for six.

Queensland captain Stuart Law paid tribute to Blewett in his post-match conference, arguing that "it is outstanding to be able to bat for ten hours or so and not even raise a sweat".

In talking about his innings - that was compiled in front of Australian Chairman of Selectors, Trevor Hohns, Blewett said that it was "good knowing that Trevor saw the innings, but he and I both know that there is still more work to be done".

"It is a load off my mind given that I have not scored a century in quite a while," he added.

Just over halfway into the day, Blewett was joined at the crease by his captain, Darren Lehmann (47*), and there proved to be no further way through for the Bulls. Even with a still badly strained hamstring, the left handed South Australian skipper looked at ease. His injury prevented any quick running between the wickets and many extra runs that may have been on offer were accordingly denied. But, as always, he hit the ball powerfully.

At 4:20 pm local time, it was Lehmann who put the official seal on the game with an early declaration. This left the Bulls to take away two first innings points from the match - a result which allows them to retain their lead on the Pura Cup table heading into the Christmas break.