South Australian batsman Tom Cooper says his unbeaten century which has delivered a six-wicket Sheffield Shield win against Queensland is a highlight of his rejuvenated career.
The Redbacks jumped to second on the ladder after Cooper (119no) and Jake Lehmann (78no) cruised to the victory target of 279 runs on Tuesday at Adelaide Oval.
The pair put on an unbroken 187-run partnership for the fifth wicket, with Cooper's ninth first-class ton the icing on his personal comeback.
Cooper was dropped by SA last season after struggling in the aftermath of the 2014 death of his housemate Phillip Hughes, and was overlooked for a Redbacks contract at the start of the summer.
"It makes your realise that you can't get comfortable," Cooper said.
"Professional sport, it doesn't matter what it is, there is always someone knocking on the door so, if you get too comfortable, I guess you can probably miss a beat.
"Maybe it was a reality check. I went away and worked really hard and, luckily, I have seen some rewards."
Cooper, who cracked 15 fours and four sixes, and Lehmann made light work of the final-day run chase.
The duo resumed needing another 121 wins and made them before lunch, leaving Queensland in fifth place on the ladder.
The Redbacks capitalised on misfortune to the Bulls, who lost fast bowler Mark Steketee on day one because of a side strain.
"It certainly makes it hard when you lose your strike bowler on day one," Queensland captain Joe Burns said.
"It's a combination of us getting tired and them batting very well in that fourth day - we just couldn't break that partnership.
"They are two very good batters. We tried a lot of different plans and I thought the bowlers bowled quite well ... we will walk away from it very frustrated but very proud of the effort."
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