Bulls pair on verge of centuries in Shield

Queensland batsmen Jack Wildermuth and Marnus Labuschagne were approaching centuries with the Bulls 4-343 at stumps on day two of their JLT Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia in Perth.

The pair stood tall after Test discard Matt Renshaw again failed with Queensland chasing WA's first innings total of 414.

Left-arm quick Jason Behrendorff had the out of touch opener caught for 18 but the visitors responded to the setback in style.

They were 71 behind at the close of play with Wildermuth not out 95 and Labuschagne unbeaten on 92.

The two near tons followed solid contributions from Joe Burns (81), Charlie Hemphrey (21) and Sam Truloff (24).

WA's innings was underpinned by Mitch Marsh's 141 while Will Bosisto (60), D'Arcy Short (59) and Josh Inglis (53) were notable.

Renshaw was the focus as Queensland began their reply after being dropped from the Australian Test side for the Ashes opener in Brisbane.

He started encouragingly, sending four deliveries to the WACA Ground boundary but struggled against Behrendorff.

The paceman also had a chance against Renshaw put down in slips before he managed to square him up and have him caught at gully.

It was Queensland's batsmen in control from there, though. Burns looked in tremendous touch putting on 50- and 48-run stands with Hemphrey and Truloff.

He appeared on track for his second Shield century since the last of his 13 Test appearances for Australia until he was trapped in front for 81 off Simon Mackin.

Any hopes WA had of ripping through Queensland's order ended when Labuschagne joined allrounder Wildermuth who was attempting to back up his 3-69 with the ball with his third first-class century.

He's already surpassed 1000 runs for the season with his unbeaten knock of 95 that has so far included 16 boundaries.

Labuschagne got motoring in the final session. Usually a top-order bat, he came in at No. 6 and raced to his 92 from 99 balls with 17 boundaries.

Western Australia XI: Jono Wells, Will Bosisto, Hilton Cartwright, Mitch Marsh, Ashton Turner, D'Arcy Short, Josh Inglis, Andrew Holder, Matt Kelly, Jason Behrendorff, Simon Mackin

Queensland XI: James Peirson (c), Joe Burns, Brendan Doggett, Luke Feldman, Charlie Hemphrey, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Mitch Swepson, Sam Truloff, Jack Wildermuth.