Maher puts stamp on captaincy in Bulls win over NSW

BRISBANE, Oct 20 AAP - Passionate Queenslander Jimmy Maher put his first stamp on the Bulls captaincy when he engineered an important win over NSW in the ING Cup one-day cricket clash at the Gabba today.

Maher hit a classy century, made key decisions and even had some luck in the final overs as the Bulls charged to a 46-run win, atoning for last Sunday's 45-run loss to the Blues at North Sydney Oval.

The victory was cemented well before Maher, Andrew Symonds and Michael Kasprowicz spilled relatively straight-forward catches - perhaps costing the Bulls a bonus point - as NSW edged to 8-241 from 50 overs in reply to Queensland's slick 4-287.

Maher at least made up for dropping rival captain Simon Katich by grabbing the loose ball and throwing down the stumps at the non-striker's end to run out Dominic Thornely (28).

It was a fitting finish for Maher, whose efficient knock of 119 from 140 balls ended a satisfying week during which he led Queensland to first innings points against the Blues in a Pura Cup match at the Gabba.

The 28-year-old Australian one-day batsmen has looked comfortable since taking over the captaincy from Stuart Law this season but said the responsibility did not affect his game.

"I don't go out there and think I have to perform differently just because I'm captain," Maher said.

"We were out there today trying to get a good start and set the standard for the rest of the day."

That ploy worked, with Maher leading a sometimes brutal assault on the two medium-pacers who wrecked the Bulls during last season's ING Cup final.

Shawn Bradstreet and Dominic Thornely shared seven wickets in that match but they conceded a combined 78 from 11 overs today against an assault led by Maher, Lee Carseldine (59 from 64) and Clinton Perren (52 not out from 46).

Maher then proved his nous as captain to blunt a promising run chase from the Blues, who had skipped to 2-114 in the 25th over.

Maher caught Brad Haddin (16 from 48) at a specially-placed short cover before employing all-rounder Andrew Symonds to break up the dangerous partnership between Michael Bevan (39 from 67) and Michael Clarke (43 from 45).

Symonds (2-48 from 10) claimed Bevan in his first over and Clarke five balls later during a barren patch which ruined the Blues' chances.

The NSW squad returns home tomorrow without a point from five hot days at the Gabba but their performance was much better than that statistic.

New captain Katich had plenty to like today about the performance of Australia A paceman Stuart Clark (3-31 from 10), who would have had some effect on the Pura Cup match if not for an ankle injury.

Young batsman Michael Clarke continued his rise up Australia's batting ranks while Matthew Phelps boosted his confidence with 147 in the Pura Cup match.