Two gutsy centuries rescue Queensland in Sheffield Shield final as Brendan Doggett claims 10-wicket haul
Updated . First published at
Fast bowler Brendan Doggett completed a 10-wicket match haul in a sterling effort for South Australia on day three of the Sheffield Shield final, but Jack Clayton and Jack Wildermuth peeled off centuries to rescue Queensland's hopes of victory.
Queensland was bowled out for 445 late on day three of the five-day match, leading by 269 runs.
South Australia's Conor McInerney and Henry Hunt will begin their side's pursuit of 270 for victory when play resumes on day four.
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South Australia hasn't won a Sheffield Shield title in 29 years, but a drought-breaking triumph could be imminent.
Already with six wickets on his match tally after the first innings, Doggett scalped Test stars Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja, former limited-overs international Ben McDermott, and dangerous wicketkeeper-batter Jimmy Peirson to capture his maiden 10-wicket match haul in first-class cricket.
When the right-arm quick sent a ball spearing into Peirson's front pad to trap him lbw, Queensland was five down and leading by only 16 runs.
Jack Clayton (left) and Jack Wildermuth celebrate their centuries. Getty
But Clayton, who at that point was on 41 batting at No.4, carried on to make a 249-ball century at Karen Rolton Oval.
When off-spinner Ben Manenti rapped the left-hander on his back leg to remove him for 100, Queensland led by 148.
The away side's victory hopes were bolstered further by Wildermuth as he blasted his way to a century from 118 balls.
The Bulls were seven down and leading by 226 when the talented all-rounder, batting at No.8, flicked a delivery from paceman Liam Scott off his pads for four to bring up his century.
The 31-year-old roared with delight and, in a tribute to his two young girls, rocked his bat like a baby.
Brendan Doggett celebrates taking a wicket on day three. Getty
Wildermuth lost his wicket for 111, bowled by paceman Nathan McAndrew.
His innings followed a knock of 104 from just 90 balls against South Australia at Karen Rolton Oval in Queensland's previous match.
Bulls fast bowler Mark Steketee, batting at No.9, frustrated South Australia with a knock of 51.
Clayton's century followed a golden duck in Queensland's first dig, when he prodded a McAndrew delivery to cover, took off on a suicidal run, turned back in a frantic scurry, and was run out by Scott.
Labuschagne contributed 61 at No.3 to boost his World Test Championship final selection hopes, but Khawaja's tumultuous week continued when he lost his wicket for 21. He had only made 2 in his side's first innings amid his public feud with Queensland Cricket, as the Bulls were skittled for 95.
