Marnus survives moment of madness to send Ashes statement with Shield ton

Marnus Labuschagne has sent national selectors a strong message with a Sheffield Shield century for Queensland against Tasmania at Allan Border Field, even if it did come with a few slices of luck.

Labuschagne brought up his century on the stroke of lunch with a cover drive off Kieran Elliott that almost made it to the rope for four, but the Queensland captain and his batting partner Jack Clayton ran four anyway.

Batting at number tree, Labuschagne, who was dropped from the Test side following June’s World Test Championship final loss to South Africa, needed just 154 deliveries to reach his 33rd first class century, striking nine fours and a six in a more aggressive display.

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That more attacking approach almost backfired spectacularly on 98, however.

Labuschagne charged at Tasmanian off spinner Nivethan Radhakrishnan and almost squandered his chance at a century, outside edging a chance to wicketkeeper Jake Doran, which the gloveman grassed.

It also meant that Doran missed the stumping too, and the catch could have easily looped up to Jackson Bird at first slip.

It was Labuschagne’s second reprieve of his innings, being dropped by a diving Doran earlier when he tickled a leg glance down the leg side on 61.

The hundred was also the 31-year-old’s second of the season, having smashed 130 against the white ball in Queensland’s Dean Jones Trophy opener against Victoria.

Labuschagne reached lunch on day three unbeaten 105 before later falling at 160 off 205 balls after he edged a reverse sweep to Jake Doran.

Queensland was 504-5 after 126 overs in reply to Tasmania’s first innings of 379 with Jimmy Peirson and Hugh Weibgen in the middle.

Matt Renshaw was the only wicket to fall in the morning session with his superb knock of 128 coming to an end when he edged a rising Elliott delivery through to Doran.

The big left-hander sent a reminder of his quality with the knock, opening the batting alongside Test veteran Usman Khawaja, who made 69 on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Victorian captain Peter Handscomb scored a century against reigning champions South Australia at the Adelaide Oval.

The right-hander needed 173 balls to bring up his 29th first class hundred, and he has helped edge Victoria close to a first innings lead with the support of number eight Fergus O’Neill (61 not out).

Victoria are 6/322 in reply to South Australia’s 9/350 declared on the stroke of lunch with Handscomb unbeaten on 102.

New South Wales captured a first innings lead as Western Australia knocked over for 161 after the visitors were all out for 170 in the first innings at the WACA.

Cameron Green fell for 19 yesterday, batting at number four, the all-rounder was caught behind off Ryan Hadley, who snared a five-wicket haul.

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