Former Test batsmen Darren Lehmann and Greg Blewett tormented Queensland's fast bowlers in their own playground today as South Australia took control of the Pura Cup cricket match at the Gabba.

Lehmann (129) and Blewett (109) unleashed centuries, becoming the bullies against a Queensland attack which has floored plenty of visiting batsmen in the last decade.

The Redbacks were 4-349 in their first innings at stumps on the opening day, after Bulls captain Stuart Law told them to bat on an overcast morning.

Ashes tourist Ashley Noffke (2-108) removed openers Ben Johnson (25) and David Fitzgerald (39) but he then became one of the punching bags for the Redbacks tag-team.

Lehmann and Blewett piled on 201 runs for the third wicket, driving fiercely against prolific domestic wicket-takers Michael Kasprowicz (0-62) and Joe Dawes (1-75). Lehmann also plundered runs to the third man fence as he charged to his 37th domestic four-day century.

The left-hander went from 79 to 100 in eight balls, twice deliberately flicking boundaries between first slip and third man.

Lehmann was so dominant that Law employed just one slip and a third man when the inconsistent Bulls attack took the second new ball after 80 overs.

It was a very un-Queensland field setting but rarely have the competition leaders been belted with such ease at the Gabba.

"We've had some reasonable results here in the last few years and we're not daunted by playing here anymore," Lehmann said.

"That was an exceptional day for us and probably the best day we've had at the Gabba that I can remember."

Lehmann was dropped on 87 and Blewett on 78 but both catches were difficult.

Lehmann's 173-ball innings, featuring 17 boundaries, only ended when wicketkeeper Wade Seccombe grabbed an outstanding one-handed catch from a relieved Dawes.

Blewett wasn't as quick but his Gabba record is among the best in Australian cricket.

He has scored 369 runs from his last two innings at the ground, where his first-class average is 64.94.

The right-hander now looks nothing like the jittery opener dropped from the Test team in New Zealand two years ago.

"New Zealand was a horror towards the end and I was really tight but I know my own game a lot better now," Blewett said.

"I know the danger signs now and my batting revolves around my balance and when I'm standing up tall and hitting the ball straight everything else looks after itself."

It was hardly an enjoyable day for Matthew Hayden - the batsman who took Blewett's place in New Zealand.

Hayden returned to his beloved Bulls today after being dumped from the Australian one-day team last Monday.

Lehmann worked several boundaries past an outstretched Hayden in the gully but at least the Queenslander can count on a friendly batting deck tomorrow.

© 2002 AAP