South Australia is within striking distance of winning the coveted Sheffield Shield trophy thanks to a brilliant century from Jake Lehmann and two crucial goals from Brendan Doggett. However, a valiant half-century from Marnus Labuschagne has given Queensland a chance to win the final at Karen Rolton Oval.
Lehmann’s third century in as many Shield games came on day two when he hammered 102 off 151 balls.
He shared two crucial lower order stands with Nathan McAndrew and Ben Manenti to raise South Australia’s first innings total to 271 and put them 176 runs ahead of Queensland. Additionally, it guaranteed that, in the event of a draw—which appears doubtful with three days remaining—South Australia would win the Shield on bonus points. Jack Wildermuth concluded with 3 for 39, but Callum Vidler was unable to add to his four wickets from the opening afternoon.
The hitters from Queensland performed better the second time. Labuschagne made 61 to help keep the visitors alive as they erased the lead by stumps, causing the surface to flatten out considerably. However, when the batting surface improves, Doggett captured the crucial wickets of Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja, leaving South Australia with just seven wickets remaining.
As South Australia’s quicks looked for swing and seam that had vanished from the surface from two days of sun, Khawaja and Angus Lovell got off to a steady start in the second innings with a 39-run opening partnership that included some fluid drives from both players.
When Doggett came on first change, his extra speed once again made the difference. He nicked one to third slip to fall for 21 when he got one to rear from the back of a length at Khawaja, who was squared up awkwardly.
Despite having a charming existence, Labuschagne was a fluent player. On 11, he prevailed over McAndrew in a close lbw decision. Then, on 20, he was beautifully caught by a diving Liam Scott at fine leg after failing to control a hook shot from Doggett, just like Khawaja had done in the first innings. This caused loud celebrations. Replays revealed that Doggett’s foot was not behind the line, therefore Labuschagne was allowed to stay after being asked to wait while the third umpire looked for a no-ball.
Lovell had undergone numerous examinations of his front defense and had carefully worked his way to 38 off 80 deliveries in between periods. In order to get Lovell declared lbw, Scott eventually managed to get one through that nipped back off the seam. After keeping up to the stumps to the towering seamer, Alex Carey might share some of the credit for getting Lovell stuck on the crease.
When the seamers from South Australia kept offering width, Labuschagne dug in with Jack Clayton and started to make money. Nine times in all, he found the rope after playing a string of entertaining cut shots.
Once more, Doggett took the initiative to help South Australia. With catching guys deep on the leg side, he reared a short ball into Labuschagne’s ribs. Jason Sangha was positioned 20 meters off the rope at deep backward square, and Labuschagne’s attempt to rotate his wrists on a controlled pull gave him a top edge. As the third umpire scrutinized Doggett’s front foot once more, he appeared anxious, but this time a small portion of his heel was behind the line.
Clayton finished with 32 not out as he and Ben McDermott battled valiantly late in the day to add an undefeated 33 and put Queensland ahead by one run at stumps.
Prior to Lehmann’s century, South Australia appeared to be within striking distance of winning the Shield title. In the morning session, he took advantage of some loose bowling from Queensland after beginning the day at 42 not out.
Power was used to scythe through everything that was just a little bit too short and wide. Lehmann’s score was too much for Queensland’s bowlers to contain. He rotated the stroke by tucking them below square whenever they got straight. Having achieved five of his fourteen first-class hundreds at the Oval at an average of 58.14, including three in his final four innings there, he smoked fifteen boundaries to maintain his romance with Karen Rolton Oval.
Ben Manenti, who finished with 47 off 59 balls, seven fours, and a six, shared an incredible 72-run partnership with him. Before falling to a spectacular catch by Ben McDermott, he appeared to be ready for many more. To the surprise of his teammates and opponents, McDermott leaped up with his right hand at full stretch and retrieved a long hop that Manenti had blasted off Mitchell Swepson flat to midwicket, but he had failed to raise it high enough.
In another crucial 85-run stand, Nathan McAndrew continued where Manenti left off, scoring a superb 39 to help Lehmann achieve his century.
Both McAndrew and Doggett were removed by Jack Wildermuth’s two superb deliveries in a single over, as they both edged superb outswingers to first and second slip, respectively.
McDermott ended Lehmann’s knock on 102 and kept the lead at 176 with another brilliant catch, his fourth of the day. McDermott made a challenging catch appear extremely easy while running back with the fly from point after Lehmann attempted to chop Mark Steketee up and over point but got under the stroke too much.
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