Justin Langer missed a century but he may have booked a Test berth after joining West Australian captain Adam Gilchrist in a run feast against Queensland at the Gabba today.

Langer and Gilchrist brought about their own downfalls in the Pura Cup cricket match with rash shots in the 90s, but only after leading the Warriors into a solid position against the Bulls after two days.

At stumps, Queensland was 0-41 in its first innings in reply to the Warriors' enterprising 8(dec)-360.

Langer had himself to blame for missing a ton, reaching 96 against a quality attack before he was bowled trying to slog Adam Dale (2-46).

Gilchrist had a similar ending, skying Andrew Bichel (2-98) to Dale at wide mid-on, but the captain said the quick tempo was necessary after yesterday's first day was washed out.

Both players strolled off the ground with a slouch but Langer should have been happy after showing national selector Trevor Hohns he wanted to open against New Zealand in the first Test at the Gabba on November 8.

Following another century from Tasmanian Jamie Cox yesterday, the pressure tightened on Langer to retain the Test position he won from dumped opener Michael Slater in the last match on the Ashes tour.

He was cautious early, surviving a chance when Bulls 'keeper Wade Seccombe spilled a tough catch from the second ball of the day.

But he stepped up the pace until falling to the same rush of blood which ruined his Test tour of India earlier this year.

Gilchrist, who was the batting star against a Queensland attack which failed to live up to its reputation, said Langer was ready to trade in his No.3 spot to become a full time opener in Australia, reprising the same role he had played in English county stints.

"The option is there for him and he is in control of his destiny," Gilchrist said.

"It's got our backing and, if he keeps getting runs, I couldn't see where it would change.

"He's pretty comfortable and he's determined to do well."

Gilchrist outshone Langer with a typically blistering knock, smashing 11 fours and four sixes from 102 balls, including a towering six over the backward square boundary which wrecked his bat.

His 154-run stand with Marcus North (47) helped make up for a bunch of missed opportunities from Simon Katich (25), Damien Martyn (22) and Murray Goodwin (24).

Martyn was run out in a wasteful mix-up with Langer, who stood his ground when his partner called for a single from the non-striker's end.

It wasn't a great day for the Bulls, with even Gilchrist admitting their bowling performance was "very un-Queensland-like".

There were too many short and overpitched balls, enabling Gilchrist, North and Langer to tear up plenty of runs on a Gabba pitch which zipped around early.

Ashley Noffke dented his Test chances with an indifferent return of 0-76, while Michael Kasprowicz (3-89), Bichel and Dale took wickets without hitting their straps.

Bulls openers Matthew Hayden (12 not out) and Jimmy Maher (29 not out) negotiated a tough period before stumps to ensure the home team would start its run chase intact tomorrow.

© 2001 AAP