A Jake Lehmann century highlights Day Two of the Sheffield Shield Final.
South Australia homegrown hero Jake Lehmann (102) has made it three hundreds in as many matches, giving the home team a strong first innings lead as they search for a drought breaking Sheffield Shield victory.
However, the match remains evenly poised as a second innings fight back led by Marnus Labuschagne (61) has Queensland leading by 1 run for the loss of 3 wickets.
The late dismissal of the dangerous Labuschagne keeps South Australia confident going into Day Three.
The day began with Queensland’s overnight hope of restricting the hosts lead being quickly met by the slashing blades of Ben Manenti (47) and Lehmann.
A quick start to the day was temporarily interrupted by the dismissal of Manenti, skewing a half-tracker to mid-wicket.
Queensland saw the opportunity to quickly end this innings before the lead ballooned out. However, Lehmann continued to look untroubled when joined by the ever-reliable Nathan McAndrew (39).
As the partnership kicked past 50, Lehmann took advantage of a wide ball, thrashing it into the off-side to bring up a hundred.
His third in as many matches, Lehmann’s run of form helped cement South Australia in the final and has now placed his side in a good position to break their 29-year Shield drought.
The elation of the hundred was met by the successive removal of McAndrew and Brendan Doggett, before a cat and mouse tactic saw the eventual end of Lehmann, closing out the South Australian innings with a lead of 176.
For Queensland to keep their Shield ambitions alive, they had to survive the dangerous new ball period and make the most of a pitch that was flattening out under the warm Adelaide sun.
Doggett (2-38) picked up from his 1st innings heroics, collecting the wicket of Khawaja (21), before Queensland consolidated making it to Tea with only the loss of their opener.
Liam Scott (1-23) appeared the hero after tea, trapping Lovell LBW and then snatching a magnificent catch at fine leg off the bat of Labuschagne, only for the catch to be reversed for a front foot no-ball.
Doggett amended his mistake and had the test number 3 caught in similar fashion late in the day.
Queensland used their luck to survive some close calls as the day came to a close.
South Australia will continue for some early wickets tomorrow, with play schedule to resume from 10:35am ACDT.