Queensland beat Victoria here today in a one-day cricket match with enough twists, farce and controversy to make a Hollywood scriptwriter happy.

Such a script would surely have a part for cricket fan and film star Russell Crowe, who made a surprise appearance at Punt Rd late in the game to catch up with his friend, top Victorian player Shane Warne.

Crowe and the rest of the crowd were kept entertained until the end of the second-last over of the match, when the Bulls' Andy Bichel clipped Ian Hewett off his toes to give Queensland a one-wicket win.

Queensland made 9-223 in reply to Victoria's 9-222 off 50 overs, a much closer margin than winning captain Stuart Law would have liked.

"We shouldn't have let it get that tight with the way we started (our innings), we should have cruised to victory," he said.

"But credit to the Vics, you've got world-class performers in Shane Warne and Ian Harvey doing their stuff, (it) made it hard for us."

The match was played on the same pitch used for the Pura Cup game between the sides which finished yesterday.

Match officials were no doubt worried the planned one-day strip would be too lively, given the rain that marred the four-day game which finished in near-darkness yesterday.

Law thought there was a rule "set in stone" which forbade the same strip being used for two games in a row, but said the Bulls were determined to accept whatever they encountered on the trip south.

"We could have complained, whinged and moaned through the four-day game about playing in terrible conditions," he said of the weather.

"But we got on and did our job and did the same today."

The Bulls also held their tongues over a key stumping decision against Jimmy Maher at a key stage in the match.

Maher was 33 and the score 2-89 in the 17th over when Harvey, the man of the match, caught the left-hander off-balance.

Wicketkeeper Darren Berry made a rare off-side stumping and the third umpire ruled against Maher, despite his back foot being very close to the ground.

Harvey was man of the match after opening in the absence of Jason Arnberger, who had a groin niggle.

Victoria was also without opening bowler Damien Fleming, rested because of bruising and blistering on the sole of his left foot.

Harvey whacked 72 off 66 balls to set up a Bushrangers score of at least 240, while No.3 Brad Hodge chipped in with 61 and Michael Klinger made 39.

But Victoria lost 5-20 at the end of its innings and could score only 30 in its last 10 overs, with spinner Nathan Hauritz (10 overs, 2-36) particularly effective through the middle of the innings.

Harvey then took 3-19 in 10 overs and Warne chipped in with 2-40 off 10 as the Vics put the brakes on Queensland's innings.

The Bulls lost 7-45 to be 9-212 at the end of the 47th over, leaving Bichel and Kasprowicz to score the 11 runs needed.

Their running between the wickets often could best be described as creative, but Law credited them for not panicking.

Victorian coach Mick O'Sullivan refused to hang any blame on Jonathan Moss, who would have won the match if his throw to the keeper late in the game had not been wild.

O'Sullivan pointed out there were "a dozen" such incidents in the match.

Andrew Symonds top-scored for Queensland with 46 off 47 balls, including three sixes.

Victoria now has no wins from three ING Cup matches, making it extremely tough for the Bushrangers to reach the final.

© 2001 AAP