Unlike Australia, Queensland showed it was not adverse to enforcing a follow-on in searing heat, but is in danger of getting burnt at the Gabba.

In contrast to Test counterpart Ricky Ponting, Bulls skipper Jimmy Maher had no hassles with bowling again after his relentless pacemen ousted Victoria for 188 on Monday in the Pura Cup final replay.

The Bushrangers, behind by 183 runs on the first innings, then stoically lifted themselves up off the floor to go to stumps on day two at 1-171 in their second innings.

The turnaround, led by Jason Arnberger (97 not out) and Matthew Elliott (71), has the visitors believing they can ambush the competition leaders with a miracle victory.

They must fight history to do it as only three times in 1729 matches and 112 years of interstate competition has a team won after being forced to follow-on.

The defending champions, only 12 runs behind with nine wickets in hand, have the momentum after Elliott and Arnberger lasted exactly as long together second time around (45.2 overs) as the entire first innings.

Making matters worse for the Bulls is the fact first-day century-maker James Hopes doesn't plan to bat again after suffering severe bruising to his right hand in the field.

"We had plan A, B and C for the day and we failed in all of those but something else popped up and that was a fighting partnership at the end of the day that has the game pretty level," said Victorian coach Greg Shipperd.

"We've bounced back into the contest.

"If we start off pretty well tomorrow there's going to be some tired bodies and hopefully we can capitalise on that."

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