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Queensland build solid lead

Ferguson scores ton as Redbacks declare behind

A polished knock from Joe Burns has lifted Queensland's lead to 201 runs against South Australia on day three of their Bupa Sheffield Shield match.

Burns compiled 88 not out as the Bulls reached 2-128 in their second innings by stumps at Adelaide Oval.

The Redbacks, after Callum Ferguson posted an unbeaten century, declared their first innings some 75 runs behind the visitors in a bid to spice up the fixture.

But Queensland's quest for runs to set up a possible last-day target was initially curtailed by Redbacks quick Chadd Sayers.

The swing bowler, who claimed a first innings hat-trick, took a miserly 2-21 from his first 11 overs, dismissing first-class debutants Marnus Labuschagne for a duck and Ben McDermott for two.

The wickets left the Bulls wobbling at 2-32 before Burns, in partnership with Peter Forrest (38 not out), found some fluency against an SA side with an injury concern over Mark Cosgrove.

Cosgrove sent down 10 balls of medium pace before hobbling from the field with a groin injury in the final hour of play.

Earlier, the Redbacks reached 4-368 before declaring a ball after Ferguson reached his 10th first-class ton.

Ferguson (100 not out) combined for a 140-run partnership with Tom Cooper (75), and then put on another 81 runs with Travis Head, who made 52.

Head's initial four scoring shots were consecutive boundaries from legspinner Ryan Le Loux.

Queensland off-spinner Jason Floros claimed all the wickets, finishing with 4-85 from 27.3 overs.

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