Symonds stars in Queensland win over Victoria

BRISBANE, Feb 1 AAP - Dumped Australian allrounder Andrew Symonds took his frustration out on Victoria tonight by dragging Queensland to a gripping win in the ING Cup cricket clash at the Gabba.

Symonds spanked 61 with the bat and claimed 2-33 from 10 overs as Queensland strangled the Bushrangers by four runs, maintaining its lead at the top of the points table.

In reply to Queensland's moderate 216 from 46.3 overs, the Bushrangers ran out of puff after a promising run chase, finishing at 8-212 from 50 overs.

Victorian wicketkeeper Darren Berry risked disciplinary action when he reacted angrily after being run out with 11 balls remaining.

Berry looked at umpire Laurie Musch and slammed his bat into the ground after he was given out trying to sneak a second run in a vital decision for the Bulls, who rode to victory on Symonds' brilliance.

National selectors Trevor Hohns and Allan Border watched from the stands as the powerful 26-year-old hit out just one day after their panel dumped him from the Australian one-day squad.

His 61 from 63 balls included two thumping sixes - one which soared over the extra cover fence - and it provided the strong hand in a 106-run partnership with stand-in captain Jimmy Maher (54 from 74).

Symonds again lost the chance to race towards a century when he skied Mick Lewis (1-61 from 10) to Berry, but his entertaining knock would prove the match-winner in a tough day for the batsmen.

The Bulls then crumbled, losing their last five wickets for 13 runs to continue the batting problems which have dogged them since Christmas.

But Symonds sparked a fightback by the bowlers with his tight spell, which would have looked better if Musch had given Berry out caught behind by Wade Seccombe from the first ball he faced.

The Bulls raced to congratulate Symonds, who was stunned when Torpey shook his head.

But that decision didn't stop Berry from releasing his frustration 27 minutes later when his lively knock of 17 was ended by Torpey, who did not have the services of a third umpire.

The Bushrangers were already behind the pace after captain Matthew Elliott (73 from 110) and Brad Hodge (38 from 63) rolled through a 94-run stand which should have been a winning platform.

Nick Jewell carried on with 31 from 41 balls, smacking Symonds with an aggressive sweep which landed just metres from the windows of the Queensland Cricketers' Club.

But that was among the few problems for Symonds, who combined with promising off-spinner Nathan Hauritz (2-36 from 10) for a tandem spell which dried up the Bushrangers, who were cruising with 86 runs needed from 66 balls.

Victoria has a dreadful Gabba record, not including a win in last year's one-day clash, but they were already out of contention for the finals.

Berry's night could be further soured after the veteran wicketkeeper was told to front a disciplinary hearing