NSW have romped to a 163-run Sheffield Shield win, with Queensland's brigade of Test hopefuls failing their pressure tests in Canberra.
Nathan Lyon (5-94) and Josh Hazlewood (4-30) ran through the Bulls' batting order on Monday at Manuka Oval to record the Blues' first victory in their past 11 Shield games.
While the Blues' all-Test attack looked ominous as the Bulls were bowled out for 216, the match left Australian selectors with more questions than answers.
The game was an important red-ball hit-out for Lyon, Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc with the first Test against India on December 6 in Adelaide.
However, Queensland's Test aspirants, Matt Renshaw, Joe Burns and Marnus Labuschagne, wilted with a chance begging to make big statements against an all-star bowling unit.
"I thought all three quicks were very impressive," Lyon said.
"I thought Josh showed his class, it's good signs for him, and I thought Pat and Mitch were exceptional as well. Pat in the first innings was up there with the best I've seen him bowl."
The result leaves the winless Bulls in last spot and their title defence in disarray.
Hazlewood was particularly impressive on a pitch which offered little for the seamers, dismissing opener Burns for 38 before lunch to effectively extinguish the Bulls' hopes.
Burns had an outside chance to return to the Test line-up if he could pile on a big score but failed make the most of a promising start after being dismissed for just six in the first innings.
Renshaw (21 and 6) and Marnus Labuschagne (4 and 52) also failed to capitalise on their opportunities.
Despite having the mantle of Australia's most successful Test offspinner, it was Lyon's maiden Shield five-wicket haul.
He removed Charlie Hemphrey, Sam Heazlett and skipper Jimmy Peirson in remarkably similar fashion in the first session.
All three were dismissed after ballooning a Lyon delivery to Moises Henriques close to the wicket, with the Australian tweaker taking nine scalps for the match.
"It's always nice to get get five wickets but, when you've got the likes of the quicks that I'm lucky enough to play with, sometimes you don't get to bowl to the tail," Lyon said.
"It was good to get a long spell today."
Australian Associated Press
