Thirty-somethings shine as Bulls thrash Redbacks

BRISBANE, Jan 22 AAP - Michael Kasprowicz and Greg Blewett reminded national selectors of the skills of Australian cricket's older brigade as Queensland charged to a comprehensive victory over South Australia at the Gabba today.

Kasprowicz claimed 5-44 as the Bulls posted their fifth consecutive win of the Pura Cup season, thrashing the Redbacks by 208 runs despite an outstanding 135 by Blewett on the final day.

The South Australian captain was the lone performer for the Redbacks, who cruised to first-innings points on the opening day before watching their finals hopes unravel.

Queensland skipped six points clear of Victoria with three rounds remaining, virtually booking its final berth as it chases its fourth consecutive title minus international players Matthew Hayden, Jimmy Maher, Andrew Bichel and Andrew Symonds.

Kasprowicz will again be the Bulls' bowling spearhead over the final rounds but rival teams will also have to deal with the likes of Joe Dawes, who claimed match figures of 10-135.

Kasprowicz today became just the second bowler to claim 400 first-class wickets for Queensland and he raced to 404 when Blewett chopped his former Test teammate back on to his stumps four deliveries after the tea break.

Kasprowicz, 30, and Blewett, 31, sit high on the list of the talented "thirty-somethings" hoping for another shot at Test cricket after 32-year-old Darren Lehmann was recalled earlier this season.

"The way Darren Lehmann got himself back into the Test side with his sheer volume of runs shows there is reward for ability," Kasprowicz said.

"There is plenty of time for players to make a career. You don't have to necessarily look for a 16-year-old."

Kasprowicz and Blewett are in excellent form and worthy of strong consideration when selectors decide the squad to tour the Caribbean in April and May.

Blewett shares the same birthdate as Hayden and there is plenty of evidence to suggest the right-hander is also improving with age after cruising to his fifth century at the Gabba.

The 46-Test veteran deserved to finish on a winning team but the Redbacks were strangled by Kasprowicz and Dawes, who shared 17 wickets.

"I was trying to play my own game which was to be positive rather than letting balls go because you can get yourself into a hole doing that," Blewett said.

"We're a young side at the moment with a few guys out injured and we threw some young guys into the deep end in this match.

"We couldn't have been happier after the first day but Queensland showed good sides are able to bounce back."

The teams meet again at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday week with the Bulls hoping to match the winning streak of six matches set by two states since finals were introduced 20 seasons ago.

The 1999-2000 Bulls and the 1997-98 Tasmanian team hold the record.