Big-hitting Andrew Symonds helped Queensland beat the clock when it roared to an ominous win over Western Australia in the Pura Cup match at the Gabba today.

Symonds delivered an unbeaten 75 runs from just 43 balls as the Bulls grafted a six-wicket victory with just 33 balls to spare, getting their title defence off to a perfect start.

Symonds was his typically ruthless self, clubbing six fours and three sixes, including one sweep shot which cleared the first tier of the eastern stand and a drive which almost smashed into the Brisbane Lions social club.

With captain Stuart Law (27 not out from 28 balls) lending vital support, Queensland cruised to 4-166 from 27.3 overs as the lights took over at the Gabba.

But it was the Bulls bowlers and fielders who brought to life a match which seemed dead until they zipped through the Warriors' talented batting line-up for 207 midway through the final day.

Man-of-the-match Matthew Hayden took three sharp catches including those of Test teammates Damien Martyn (12) and Justin Langer (27), who was taken to hospital after being struck on the head for the third time in six weeks.

Langer was felled by a bouncer from Andrew Bichel after just four balls, but scans later cleared him of injury, enabling the plucky opener to return to the crease as the Warriors struggled for breath.

With Michael Kasprowicz (3-38) and Adam Dale (3-51) finding their marks, the Warriors lost their last eight wickets for 87 runs to surrender a match which seemed certain to limp to a draw.

"I knew if we could get two or three quick wickets the game would change and it would also change the way they were thinking," Law said.

"Our bowlers were a different class today than during the first innings and we basically knocked them over with some high-quality fast bowling."

Warriors captain Adam Gilchrist also praised the Bulls bowlers after he fell during a crucial second session.

The match turned when Ashes tourist Ashley Noffke (2-47) unhinged Gilchrist (seven) with a regulation catch behind to Wade Seccombe before Noffke clung to an excellent return catch from dangerman Mike Hussey (66).

With Simon Katich (one) enduring an unusually poor return at the Gabba, and Martyn failing in both innings, the platform was laid for a Symonds' onslaught.

"Last year we felt we were in contention in all 10 games until midway through the third day but we had one bad session or a bad half-day and we were in trouble," Gilchrist said.

"This one is over now so it's like saying we've now got nine game to make an impression but we're not at the stage where we have to do something like review our game plan.

"I said after the first day that their bowlers were very un-Queensland-like but today they turned it around and got back to that ruthless line and length."

The teams return to the Gabba tomorrow for a one-day match with watches over Langer and Dale (shoulder), but both players are expected to play.

© 2001 AAP