Labuschagne starts summer with a bang

Queensland star season-opening ton against Tasmania laid the marker for a heavyweight stoush with India.

Marnus Labuschagne posted his highest score in Sheffield Shield cricket Picture: Getty Images

It wasn’t pretty but Queensland star Marnus Labuschagne’s season-opening ton against Tasmania laid the marker for a heavyweight stoush with India this summer.

Test star Labuschagne (167) capitalised on several reprieves to post a 14th first class ton that put Queensland in command against Tim Paine’s Tasmania by stumps on day two at Adelaide’s Park 25.

Jimmy Peirson (20) and Michael Neser (5) resume day three with the Bulls at 6-331 and holding a 81-run, first innings lead.

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Labuschagne was scratchy early – looking like a batsman who hadn’t played a Test since smashing 215 against New Zealand at the SCG in January.

Labuschagne was dropped on 20 by Ben McDermott and Beau Webster off consecutive balls from seamer Jackson Bird to end the 30th over. Webster grassed another chance at second slip off Labuschagne from Nathan Ellis in the 35th over. Webster eventually yorked Labuschagne for his Sheffield Shield high 167.

Meanwhile, opener Jake Weatherald stole the show late on day two with a seventh first-class century as South Australia bit back against Western Australia at Karen Rolton Oval.

Ashton Agar underlined his class during a record-breaking stand for Western Australia with fellow century maker Josh Inglis as the allrounder targets a Test recall this summer.

South Australia trail by 303 runs on the first innings with Weatherald set to resume on 104.

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