‘Felt like an idiot’: Joe Burns falls agonisingly short of landmark Sheffield Shield century

Queensland opening batter Joe Burns has fallen agonisingly short of scoring a landmark century in his 100th Sheffield Shield match.

Queensland cricketer Joe Burns has fallen agonisingly short of scoring a century in his 100th Sheffield Shield match, run out for 85 at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday afternoon.

Not long after the lunch break on day three, Burns fended a length delivery from South Australian seamer Brendon Doggett into the covers, sprinting through for an ill-judged single.

Watch Australia v West Indies. Every test match live and ad-break in play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

But Redbacks fielder Jake Carder swooped in from point, picking up the ball with one hand and throwing down the stumps at the non-striker’s end to find Burns short of his ground.

“Heartbreak for Joe Burns in his 100th game,” cricket reporter Bharat Sundaresan said in commentary.

“It was all going so well for him … extraordinary piece of fielding.

“Big moment in this game, you have to feel for Joe Burns.”

Burns and Queensland teammate Jack Clayton had combined for 115-run partnership for the third wicket, but the right-hander’s dismissal sparked a collapse of 5/52.

The 33-year-old was on the verge of scoring his first Sheffield Shield century in 21 months, his previous ton being a classy 171 against Tasmania at Blundstone Arena in February 2021.

What a throw!

Jake Carder with something special to end Joe Burns' innings! #SheffieldShield@MarshGlobal | #PlayOfTheDaypic.twitter.com/rjNzvdM1rr

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 22, 2022

“It sucked. I couldn’t believe I ran myself out,” Burns said.

“I felt like an idiot walking off the field. Very frustrating. At lunch we were really happy with where we were.

“Obviously it didn’t go to plan in the second session, it probably started with a run out which is very regrettable.

“It’s never nice to get out, but when you run yourself out it’s even more frustrating.

“Of course you want to make milestones, you want to make hundreds, you want to make big scores and help your team win games of cricket.

“But this is the way it goes, you have these ideas around milestones, but this game sucks.”

Burns became the 13th Queenslander to play 100 Sheffield Shield matches this week, having made his debut for the Bulls back in 2011.

The opening batter has accumulated 6731 Sheffield Shield runs at 40.79 during that time, making him the state’s eighth leading run-scorer in history.

Burns also represented Australia in 23 Tests and six ODIs between 2014 and 2020, scoring four centuries for his country.

Joe Burns of the Queensland Bulls congratulates Jack Clayton. Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Queensland was ultimately bowled out for 342 in Adelaide, taking a 102-run lead in the first innings.

Clayton contributed 67 before James Bazley smacked an unbeaten 64 off 53 balls to revive Queensland’s innings after the middle-order collapse.

South Australia paceman Nathan McAndrew claimed 5/93, his second five-wicket haul at first-class level.

“It’s nice to be back contributing with the ball,” McAndrew said.

“It’s been a rocky start for me with the ball, just struggling with injuries. So it is nice to get that rhythm back and feel strong at the crease and like I am contributing to the boys.”

South Australia was 1/89 at stumps on day three, still trailing by 13 runs.