Waugh leads rookie teammates to crushing Pura Cup win

BRISBANE, March 16 AAP - Steve Waugh's killer Test instincts helped propel NSW back to the top of Australian cricket with a thumping win over Queensland in the Pura Cup final at the Gabba today.

The 246-run victory inside three days wrenched the interstate title out of Queensland for the first time in four years and completed the first-class and one-day championship double for the Blues.

It was a sweet win for Waugh's team, which recovered from two consecutive wooden spoons to leave Queensland with only its second home defeat during its golden five-year run.

But the Blues couldn't have done it without the presence of the Waugh twins, Stuart MacGill and Michael Slater.

They have been proven performers in Australia's brilliant Test cricket reign and the same methods were on show at the Gabba as the Blues defied the worst of the conditions to belt Queensland.

Waugh, with the same blue cap he wore in NSW's final victory over Queensland at the SCG in 1984-85, harnessed excellent performances from the likes of MacGill (5-16 and 3-43) and player-of-the-match Simon Katich (82, 36 and 3-43).

"You try to pass on how the Australian team plays - it's been successful so why not try it at the state level," the Test captain said.

"When you've got talented players why not go out there, back yourself, play aggressive cricket.

"The key is holding your catches. If you do, you're going to win most matches."

Queensland's slim hopes of recovering from its dreadful first-innings total of 84 seemed to evaporate when the Bulls spilled three catches within seven balls this morning.

The Blues' lower order cashed in to edge to 263 in the second innings, leaving Queensland to chase 462 runs to win its fourth consecutive title.

The pursuit was always wobbling and the Bulls were dismissed for 215, effectively failing to recover from the 191-run stand between Slater and Katich on the first day.

The win followed NSW's 241-run drubbing of the Bulls in Sydney last week and Waugh's team appeared to play with more confidence than the defending champions.

"I thought even before the game they were a little bit worried. It was the most they had ever talked before a game," Waugh said.

"We unsettled them last week in NSW and we probably handled the conditions better.

"But they've been the benchmark for the last few years and they've got a great culture up here, a great tradition and they play the game in the right spirit.

"They've been something to aspire to in the four-day game and I think we've captured that spirit in the last half of this season.

"It's been a good time for us but you can't say you're going to start a dynasty or a long run."

Waugh traced NSW's winning run back to the thrilling victory over Western Australian in Newcastle in late January, when the Blues gained "enormous self belief".

Queensland captain Martin Love said the Bulls could still take plenty of heart from the season, after finishing with the minor premiership for the fifth consecutive year.

The Bulls were lamenting poor batting in the post-Christmas matches, failing to establish enough quality partnerships to support their consistent bowling.