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Inspired by a century from Daniel Hughes, a star-studded NSW side have beaten Queensland by eight wickets in the Marsh Cup.
NSW called up all their shining stars for their crucial Marsh Cup clash with Queensland, but it was one of their lesser lights who stole the show at North Sydney Oval.
Lining up alongside nine teammates who have represented Australia, opener Daniel Hughes (101) hit his sixth one-day century to help guide the Blues to 2-204 and a comfortable eight-wicket win for a place in the final.
The 32-year-old brought up his ton with an elegant four - one of 13, along with two sixes - before losing his wicket shortly after when he mistimed a Michael Neser (1-60) delivery and was caught in the deep by Xavier Bartlett.
"I was just trying to keep it simple and hit the ball nice and straight," Hughes told Fox Cricket after the match.
"It seemed to work tonight.
"I got a hundred tonight and I reckon I've got 150 runs for the year. It's the best I've felt this year and it felt really nice just to spend some time in the middle."
Hughes was ably assisted in running down Queensland's modest total of 203 by former Australia captain Steve Smith, who hit an unbeaten 86 in only his second Marsh Cup outing of the summer after opener David Warner was dismissed early on for four.
Fellow international Moises Henriques was the other batsman at the crease at the end, having reached seven of 11 balls.
"It's nice to be a part of (playing alongside nine Australia internationals)," Hughes said.
"It's always hard to get in the team when those boys are around and I've almost got to pinch myself when I'm at training with them, getting to face the big boys in the nets and share a changing-room with them."
Queensland won the toss and elected to bat, but struggled to make inroads against a high-quality NSW attack of Mitchell Starc (3-46), Josh Hazlewood (2-31), Pat Cummins (3-34), Nathan Lyon (1-39) and Daniel Sams.(1-47).
Only Jimmy Peirson (59) and Neser (31) got out of the 20s on a disappointing night for the Bulls.
Both sides went into the match boasting unbeaten records in this season's Marsh Cup, with hosting rights for the April 11 final on the line for the winner.
Queensland will now have to wait nervously for the outcome of the Western Australia-Tasmania game on April 8 at the WACA to see if they will get a second crack at NSW in the Bankstown Oval decider.
If they do, they will face a very different Blues team, with six of the lineup that won on Wednesday night due to jet out to India on Thursday evening for the IPL, meaning they will miss the final.
