James Hopes has built a compelling case for three Queensland all-rounders in the Australian one-day side after a match-winning display at the Gabba.
Hopes was the pick of Queensland's bowlers and batsmen in a seven-wicket thrashing of South Australia on Wednesday night that lifted the Bulls into second place in the interstate one-day competition.
The 30-year-old took 2-24 off eight overs with the ball, playing a key role as the Redbacks were bundled out for 205, before blazing 75 off 61 balls opening the innings.
The Hopes blitzkrieg, including 11 fours and a six, ensured Queensland would celebrate their 100th one-day match at the Gabba in style with a bonus-point win.
An electrical storm brought an early halt to the victory charge with the Bulls 3-163 after 30 overs and well ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis par score.
The win lifts the Bulls to 15 points on the one-day table, two behind leaders Victoria who have a game in hand.
Hopes was particularly savage on firebrand Shaun Tait (0-33) who bowled with discomfort and immediately hobbled off the field after finishing his five-over spell.
The hard-hitting Queenslander has been a regular in the national one-day team for the past year but usually dips out when both Test all-rounders, Symonds and Shane Watson, are fit and available.
With separate one-day series coming up against South Africa and New Zealand in the new year, it was an important knock after failing to convert some decent starts into big scores this season.
"It was pleasing to get some runs," Hopes said after holing out to spinner Dan Cullen on the long-on boundary. "But I wish I'd have gone on with it further."
Watson also looked in fine form, making an unbeaten 23 at No.4 after taking some early stick with the ball before finishing with 2-41.
The Redbacks shot themselves in the foot after winning the toss and batting their way to 1-137 on a wicket made for high scoring.
In a disastrous implosion, they lost their last seven wickets for 23 runs to be dismissed in the 46th over after Michael Klinger and Younus Khan made dual 60s in a century stand.
Chris Swan (2-35) dismissed both within three balls before a batting reshuffle backfired after big-hitting Dan Christian was promoted to No.5.
Callum Ferguson's run out from a Clinton Perren direct hit sparked a 4-1 collapse, with Hopes having Aaron O'Brien caught behind for a duck in the same over and Christian and Mark Cleary falling in the next.
"We had a really good platform there and it was some silly mistakes and indisciplined batting really," captain Graham Manou told Fox Sports.