Queensland cricket captain Jimmy Maher conjured a memorable outright victory over South Australia today as the Bulls extended their lead on the Pura Cup table.

Maher arrived at Adelaide Oval for the final day today perhaps the only person believing maximum points were possible to gain.

After all, SA's reply to the visitors' first innings had not been completed.

But in an astonishing turn of events, Maher today claimed first innings points, smashed a half-century from 38 balls and boldly declared before his bowlers routed the Redbacks in the afternoon.

Maher set SA an enticing 239 from 60 overs to win and then watched paceman Ashley Noffke destroy the Redbacks by taking 5-31 as the home side was bundled out for 132.

Queensland won by 106 runs and now enjoy an eight-point buffer from the chasing pack on the cup table.

Today's fluctuating fortunes began when Noffke completed a four-wicket haul in SA's first innings of 392 - a total 111 behind the Bulls' first innings of 5(dec)-503.

Maher then led a brazen Bulls assault with the bat, blasting a half-century from 38 balls which included seven fours and a six - a timely reminder to national selectors of his strokeplay as speculation of Mark Waugh's one-day demise continues.

The acting Bulls skipper fell for 52 - the first victim in a stunning slump of 7-27 during a reckless quest for quick runs.

During the chaotic collapse, Redbacks spinner Brad Young and medium pacer Greg Blewett were both on hat-tricks - and both were denied the feat.

With Queensland's overall lead of 238 and his side's second innings at 7-127, Maher bravely declared with a minimum 60 overs remaining.

He then unveiled an unexpected trick - he wanted to again use the ball which Queensland used for 144.2 overs in SA's first innings.

But Maher failed to ask his Redbacks counterpart Blewett and under cricket's laws, both captains must permit the old ball to be used again.

On this occasion Blewett refused, preferring a hard new ball for his batsmen on a wearing pitch.

It mattered little.

After reaching 2-98, SA lost 8-34 and was all out with two overs remaining.

© 2002 AAP