QUEENSLAND coach Trevor Barsby conceded his beleaguered batsmen were mentally soft after Victoria inflicted a thumping seven-wicket defeat yesterday at the Gabba.

The Bushrangers leapt to the top of the Ford Ranger Cup table with the comprehensive victory over the listless Bulls (9-222), who threw away a perfect start on a belter of a wicket.

The home side was rattling along at 0-69 in the 13th over before a litany of ugly shots forced it to crash to 5-99 and never fully recover despite a rearguard 54 by Nathan Reardon.

Completely outplaying the Bulls in all facets, the Vics easily reeled in the target with 12.2 overs to spare, thanks largely to the hard hitting of opener and man-of-the-match Rob Quiney (73 off 63 balls).

By securing the win before the 40th over, the Bushrangers... // Melbourne Herald Sun

Sydney Morning Herald (Enlarge photo)

TEENAGE NSW opener Phil Hughes confirmed his status among Australian cricket's next big things with a match-defining 198 against South Australia yesterday.

The 19-year-old's century gave the Blues a stranglehold on the Sheffield Shield match at Adelaide Oval by stumps on day three.

The Redbacks are 1-53 in their second innings, 210 runs behind NSW. The Blues, with Hughes's second ton in his ninth first-class game as their foundation, posted an imposing 576 first innings.

Resuming on 170 yesterday, Hughes appeared destined for a double ton but feathered a catch to keeper Graham Manou from the bowling of Mark Cleary (2-88).

Hughes was in his element throughout a 445-minute innings that featured 29 boundaries and a six.

"I love batting," he said. "I love playing cricket and I love... // Sydney Morning Herald