Maher plans to carry on batting

Bulls batsman Jimmy Maher celebrates reaching his double century © Getty Images

Jimmy Maher might have a good memory but the Queensland Bulls captain has maintained his motivation for batting well into the fourth day of the Pura Cup final is not revenge.

In the end of season decider two years ago, Victoria batted for close on 14 hours to post a domestic record score of 710 after the Bulls had won the toss and put the Bushrangers into bat.

But Maher, who on Sunday surpassed his previous highest first-class score before playing a tired-looking shot on 223, suggested that he is not solely setting out to emulate that memorable target.

"I wasn’t thinking of pulling out at 711 put it that way," Maher said. "Let me put it this way: I've got a pretty good memory.

"But in saying that we want to win the game outright.

"I haven't really thought about it (a possible declaration) yet. I just want us to keep batting and batting and batting.

"But I do want to leave enough time to bowl them out."

Queensland find themselves in the enviable position of 584 for three at the close of day three after Maher was joined by Martin Love (169) and Shane Watson (73 not out) in taking apart the Bushrangers attack.

They need only draw the match to reclaim the competition the Bulls last won in 2001-02.

But the manner of last year's final one-wicket defeat to New South Wales - Maher's second consecutive Pura Cup final loss as captain - still burns deep.

And he admitted he headed into this clash more determined than at any time before.

"Last year was a real heartbreaker - losing the final here - and that has stayed with me for 12 months," Maher said.

"I got a lot of emails at home, some from people that are totally uneducated and have no idea about the game.

"I haven't stopped reading them since the final last year … and it can really motivate you."