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Cosgrove, Ferguson give Redbacks bite

Twin centurions dragged South Australia off the canvas and gave the Redbacks a chance of avoiding the Shield's wooden spoon

Timely centuries to Mark Cosgrove and Callum Ferguson have given South Australia a chance to avoid the Bupa Sheffield Shield wooden spoon.

Cosgrove (103) and Ferguson (107) both reached triple figures against the myFootDr Queensland Bulls on day three at the Gabba.

The pair flipped the match on its head, turning a big first innings deficit into a 197-run lead at stumps.

An aggressive South Australia closed the day at 4-357, leaving them in prime position to set Queensland a target and push for a result on day four.

The West End Redbacks require a victory in the final game of the season to leapfrog Tasmania, who have already lost their match against Victory by a whopping 400 runs, into fifth spot on the ladder.

"Hopefully we can push on tomorrow and set a good game up," Cosgrove said.

"We want six points from this game... it's a new ball wicket, we'll get through that in the morning and reassess a target."

Peter George (2-76) claimed the wicket of Ferguson in the final hour but the day belonged to the visitors, who travelled at a run rate of more than four per over.

South Australia conceded a 160-run first innings deficit but Cosgrove's quick-fire ton wrestled the ascendancy from the Bulls.

He brought up his first Sheffield Shield century of the season in just 93 balls with 13 fours.

"We had to get in front of the game and knock those off as quickly as we could," Cosgrove said.

"Our batting order is pretty dangerous, we probably haven't fired as much as we should have this year ... but today we did."

The left hander shared a 156-run partnership with Ferguson before being dismissed by Ben Cutting (2-57) to a running Matthew Renshaw at deep point, the only wicket to fall in the second session.

Ferguson, South Australia's highest Shield run scorer this season, moved past three figures after tea, sharing a 110-run stand with Tom Cooper (54).

Earlier, Queensland were bowled out for 390 with debutant Nick Benton (4-95) and Joe Mennie (2-105) taking the final two wickets.

Queensland: Matthew Renshaw, Joe Burns, Charlie Hemphrey, Chris Lynn, Peter Forrest, Chris Hartley, Jack Wildermuth, James Hopes (c), Ben Cutting, Cameron Boyce, Peter George, Mark Steketee (12th man).

South Australia: Mark Cosgrove, Kelvin Smith, Callum Ferguson, Tom Cooper, Travis Head (c), Jake Lehmann, Tim Ludeman, Adam Zampa, Joe Mennie, Trent Lawford, Nick Benton, Cameron Valente (12th man).