Queensland's young brigade have passed their latest test with flying colours following a crushing 173-run win over South Australia, leaving the Bulls well placed as they push for a berth in next month's Sheffield Shield final.
Defeat against the second-placed South Australia would have left Queensland facing a massive challenge to reach the Shield decider, but instead the Bulls prevailed with ease dismissing the Redbacks for 244 during the middle session of the final day on a good Adelaide Oval wicket.
And it was a quartet of rookies who made the biggest impression for Queensland, including legspinner Mitch Swepson who took the last three wickets to fall on day four, and six for the match.
Opener Matt Renshaw was named player of the match, the 19-year-old hitting a match-high 146 to help Queensland to 6-474 (dec) in their first dig.
Jack Wildermuth also scored 100 not out in the first innings, while Sam Heazlett followed up his 75 with 72 in the second dig.
"The young guys really stood up and did their job throughout the whole game," said veteran allrounder James Hopes, who was playing in his 100th match for Queensland.
"We had some pretty good performances from the young guys, and also the group as a whole so it has been a pretty pleasing four days to be honest.
"We are perhaps fortunate that we have some really good young players coming through our program, but we also have experience in the side.
"So far the ones that have been given an opportunity have really stood up.
"Our young legspinner (Swepson) is a good talent so it will be interesting to see how he performs in the next four games."
The win saw Queensland leapfrog Western Australia and New South Wales into third.
"It is my last year and we are in a very good position now, so it would be nice to go out on a winning note," Hopes said.
SA, after resuming at 0-29, reached 69 before former Redback Peter George (2-37) made a double breakthrough, dismissing openers Tom Cooper and Mark Cosgrove within three balls.
Captain Travis Head fell for 11, while Hopes chipped in with the key wickets of innings century-maker Jake Lehmann (14) and also Sam Raphael (36) on the final ball before lunch as SA lost 5-71.
Only some late defiance from Joe Mennie (43) and new Test call-up Chadd Sayers (22) gave the scoreline respectability.
"Unfortunately we didn't bat as well as we would have liked, especially in the first innings," said Head.
"We probably gave our wickets up too easily today and it cost us in the end."
Despite the defeat, South Australia have clung onto second spot on a congested ladder as they seek to end a 20-year Shield final drought.
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