Marnus a class above on dominant day two for Bulls

Marnus Labuschagne scored what he rates one of the best innings of his career, with his continued domination of one of the strongest domestic bowling attacks assembled in recent memory putting Queensland in pole position after day two in the Marsh Sheffield Shield final.

Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and co. had no answers for the unflappable right-hander, who batted the entire second day at Allan Border Field, going to stumps on 160no to help the Bulls reach 3-286.

Image Id: F3D80B32D426479A802B9BDC2AED2AC2 Image Caption: Labuschagne preparing to start the day // cricket.com.au

Having bowled out NSW for 143 on day one, the hosts now only need to draw the match to claim the Shield silverware for a ninth time.

Former Australia coach and all-time leading Sheffield Shield run scorer Darren Lehmann labelled Labuschagne's innings one of the finest he has seen given the quality of the bowling he defied and the challenging (at least initially) pitch conditions.

"I can't remember (a false shot)," Lehmann told Fox Cricket after Labuschagne had reached his ton. "It's one of the best hundreds I've seen."

Labuschagne, who became the first man since Ben Dunk during the 2015-16 season to post four Shield tons in a single season, agreed he might never have played better.

“My tempo was better than it's ever been,” said the 26-year-old, who was unbeaten at stumps along with Matthew Renshaw (29no off 116).

“I didn't get greedy, I just took the runs on offer, I didn't get rushed or flustered, I really just played to my game.

“I'm not going to say best ever but it's up there.

“I always say I want to challenge myself against the best opposition and New South Wales are nothing short of a phenomenal team.

“Their bowling line up is amazing – I love playing against them when they're fit and firing, and always want to score runs against the best teams.”

A gripping duel between Labuschagne and Lyon, two of the country's leading proponents of their respective crafts, was won by the former though the off-spinner made his opponent reach deep into his bag of tricks.

Image Id: 7D5B7D0355444D278CE5C4A1F4436A4A Image Caption: Umpire Paul Wilson watches on after Lyon and Labuschagne got tangled up // cricket.com.au

Having survived an early lbw appeal where he declined to play a shot, Labuschagne played Lyon with confidence and a willingness to hit against his prodigious spin, in particular with the reverse sweep which he employed liberally.

Labuschagne brought up his century with that exact shot, completing an obsolete second run with his arms aloft after the ball trickled over the boundary before kissing the Queensland badge on his helmet.

Lyon hopes he can repeat the dose during next summer’s Ashes series.

“I love him to death. Hopefully he does it next (summer) against the Poms, that would be nice,” Lyon said wryly of Labuschagne at day’s end.

“It’s always a great battle with him competing against some of the best players in the world.

“The last 24 months or so Marnus has found a new level and it's just great competing against someone like that.

"He doesn't give you a sniff, he's very talented. I've got nothing but praise for Marnus and as I said I just hope he does it against England.”

Image Id: 6A814F925A274CC38696C8232DE5D8C4 Image Caption: Air Marnus in action // cricket.com.au

Labuschagne found an ideal ally in throwback opener Bryce Street, who was struck on the body by Mitchell Starc for a third time in as many games against the left-arm quick this season but doggedly stuck to his ultra-defensive approach.

Street contributed 41 to his 127-run second-wicket stand with Labuschagne but more importantly soaked up 203 deliveries to ensure the Bulls middle-order faced wearier foes later in the day. 

That the boutique Brisbane venue reached its capacity during the early afternoon was surely a testament not only to the enticing Brisbane weather and abundance of good vantage spots, but also the quality of the contest on offer.

He and Street had eked out just 61 first-session runs on a sunny morning as the pair weathered threatening spells from the Blues attack.

Hazlewood had set the tone with a pinpoint first over during which Street edged a full ball that looped out of reach of the cordon.

Lyon was left dispirited when skipper Kurtis Patterson dropped a hot chance at second slip when Street was on 27, in what proved a rare misstep from either batter despite the testing bowling.

Lyon finally got the better of the left-hander when he had him edging to slip.

Image Id: F8CA0555EFFD493C9E19B4B3E95EA751 Image Caption: Lyon posed a challenge all day at AB Field // cricket.com.au

Khawaja was unfortunate to tickle one down the leg-side off Starc armed with the second new ball, though it was a deserved breakthrough for the Test quick who has been a constant challenge throughout the Bulls innings.

Both Starc (1-32 off 19 overs with eight maidens) and Hazelwood (1-35 off 20, six maidens) hardly strayed all day.

A lofted drive off Lyon aside, Renshaw largely played within himself and deferred to the imperious Labuschagne, who passed 150 in the final hour with his appetite for batting still unquenched.

Queensland XI: Bryce Street, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja (c), Matthew Renshaw, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Jack Wildermuth, Michael Neser, Xavier Bartlett, Mitch Swepson, Brendan Doggett

NSW XI: Daniel Hughes, Matthew Gilkes, Kurtis Patterson (c), Jason Sangha, Jack Edwards, Sean Abbott, Baxter Holt (wk), Mitchell Starc, Trent Copeland, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

2021 Marsh Sheffield Shield final

Queensland v NSW Blues at Allan Border Field in Brisbane, April 15-19. Play begins each morning at 9.30am AEST

Queensland squad: Usman Khawaja (c), Xavier Bartlett, Joe Burns, Brendan Doggett, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Bryce Street, Mitchell Swepson, Jack Wildermuth

NSW squad: Sean Abbott, Harry Conway, Trent Copeland, Jack Edwards, Matthew Gilkes, Josh Hazlewood, Lachlan Hearne, Baxter Holt, Daniel Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Peter Nevill, Kurtis Patterson, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, Mitchell Starc

The 2021 Marsh Sheffield Shield final will be broadcast LIVE in Australia on Foxtel & Kayo Sports. ABC Grandstand's live radio coverage will also be available on cricket.com.au & the CA Live app. Viewers in NZ can watch via Sky Sport, while fans in other countries can stream via Facebook HERE