An unbeaten century rated by hard-marking Marnus Labuschagne as one of his best has put Queensland on top in the Sheffield Shield final against NSW in Brisbane on Friday.
The Blues’ star-studded attack only took two wickets for the day as Test number three Labuschagne struck a chanceless 160 not out to guide the Bulls to 3-286 by stumps on Day 2 at Allan Border Field.
Queensland hold an overall lead of 143 with Matt Renshaw 29 not out in an unbroken 73-run stand.
Labuschagne defied NSW’s Test arsenal of Mitchell Starc (1-32), Josh Hazlewood (1-35) and off spinner Nathan Lyon (1-87) to bat all day and put the Bulls in the box seat to claim Shield title number nine and their first since 2017-18.
Labuschagne notched his fourth Shield ton this season, becoming the first batsman to achieve the feat since Tasmania’s Ben Dunk in 2015-16.
Asked if he had compiled a better innings this season, Labuschagne said: “No, maybe not even ever.
“I didn’t get greedy. I just took the runs on offer. I wasn’t rushed or flustered, I just played to my game.
“It’s up there with the one of the better ones I have played.”
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Labuschagne registered his third ton in as many Shield games this season against NSW, coming out on top in an intriguing battle with the wily Lyon.
“I always say I want to challenge myself against the best opposition and NSW are nothing short of a phenomenal team,” Labuschagne said.
“Their bowling line-up is amazing. I love to play against them when they are fit and firing.”
Labuschagne struck 19 boundaries in his 284-ball knock, pushing his Shield season run tally to 789 runs at 87.66.
It continues a stellar season, which also featured 426 runs at 53.25 in the Test series against India.
After Queensland resumed on Friday at 1-58, Labuschagne shared a 126-run second-wicket stand with patient opener Bryce Street (46) to set up a huge first-innings lead for the hosts.
Street had lives on 14 and 27 but finally fell after lunch, caught behind off Lyon, ending an epic 203-ball knock that featured just five fours.
(Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
Ex-Test batsman Usman Khawaja (23) then shared a 60-run stand with Labuschagne before Renshaw chimed in.
IPL duties ensured NSW were without Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, David Warner and Moises Henriques for the Shield final.
But the Blues were still backing themselves to claim consecutive Shield titles for the first time since 1993-94 and a record 48th crown overall with a bowling arsenal also featuring Trent Copeland and Sean Abbott.
The Blues are at risk of suffering just their second loss in 14 games against Queensland in the five-day decider, however Lyon had not given up.
“It was a tough day but credit where it is due, Marnus was a class above,” he said.
“(But) the game is not dead yet. If we take the rest of the wickets quickly and bat two days there will be some nervous people in the Queensland change rooms.”
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Well done QLD, I particularly liked how Swepson, Bartlett and Doggett did the damage in the 2nd Innings after they were quiet (or not required) in the 1st innings. That's a team effort!
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Interesting about Bartlett, Tom. There is obviously 250% humidity around in Qld at the moment and great to see a young bloke exploit that. While the NSW bowlers got some movement, it begs the question, is the national coaching system killing off bowling styles which naturally swing the ball? We see batsmen made into cookie cutter defensive techniques as the template for higher honours, until a Smith & Marnus buck the trend thru sheer run production. I’ve seen a lot of young bowlers hoop it around, have their weight of wickets picked up on national radar, then their actions are ‘tweaked’ for injury minimization. They see shortform as an entry to higher honours and start holding it across the seam for economy sake and a combination of that and the million backroomers homogenise a real talent into a ‘serviceable’ bowler. It seems the hierarchy is always on the lookout for a tearaway and then tells them they have to be more economical and lament the lack of hooping options for Ashes tours, but then stifle them with restrictions. Let’s hope Bartlett doesn’t have what comes naturally ruined in the next coupla years for economy sake in Adelaide Oval Shield games!
Nat
Roar Guru
Congratulations boys!!
Tom
I refuse to believe the bowling of Neser and Wildermuth on Day 1 wouldn’t have had most batting lineups around the world struggling. One of the best displays of tight, relentless line and length bowling I have ever witnessed. Simply brilliant and I genuinely couldn’t guarantee the addition of Smith, Warner and Henriques would have changed anything. Simply one of the finest bowling displays I have ever seen in the shield. Now we have young Bartlett making an absolute meal or the NSW bats (when did we last see a 21 year old kid absolutely making a 45 over kookaburra hoop around corners?), Swepson bowling one of the most luckless spells of incredible leg-spin. NSW fans are going to moan about missing players but this Qld side is comfortably one of the best in years and would still beat NSW right now imo. The Qld boys are coming for those tests spots.
Tom
No idea why some bookies had NSW favs. Close to an Aus A bowling lineup against an awful NSW batting lineup vs Marnus, 3 former test player and Bryce Street and the Aus A quality bowling lineup.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Sheffield Shield-winning innings.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
I thought it was bizarre when there were no bidders for labs in the ipl. Qld has definitely benefited from the ipl selections. Smith and Warner may have altered the shield final. Credit to qld and an excellent innings from labs
Simon
Guest
Super innings, one his finest. The interview he did afterwards was really special. Saying it's one of the best ovations he's received and talking about how special it is playing in front of a small grounds at capacity with hills etc. Beautiful
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
What better blueprint for Test aspirants can there be than this innings by Labuschagne? Bat all day against 5 bowlers with international experience in the final of one of the toughest domestic comps in the world and build a commanding lead through partnerships which last 30-40 overs and break bowling partnerships. Great work Marnus!
redbackfan
Roar Rookie
5 batsman in the team, with sangha and edwards averaging under 30 always looked skinny