Will this no-ball save Marnus Labuschagne’s Test spot?

Marnus Labuschagne left the Australian selectors with much to ponder after an extremely fortunate innings of 61, as Queensland wrestled back into the fight with South Australia for the Sheffield Shield in Adelaide.

Perilously close to lbw on 11, then caught at fine leg off what was narrowly deemed a no-ball nine runs later, Labuschagne was ultimately bounced out by Brendan Doggett to remain locked in a struggle with the likes of Cameron Green and Josh Inglis for his place in the world Test championship final against South Africa at Lord’s in June.

Marnus Labuschagne was out, then not out.

The Bulls were 3-177 at stumps, just one run ahead, but with three more century-makers still to come – not least their skilful wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson.

Conditions eased and nerves settled on day two of the Shield final at Karen Rolton Oval, but Queensland were still an awfully long way behind when they began their second innings with a 176-run deficit.

After Usman Khawaja departed for 21, fencing at a rising delivery from Doggett (2-38) and well held in the slips, Labuschagne had his first escape. Liam Scott pinned Labuschagne in front of the stumps and made a vociferous appeal, but the umpire judged that by batting out of his crease, the Bulls captain deserved the benefit of a skerrick of doubt.

Resting at fine leg, Scott then raced around to take what appeared to be a sublime diving catch when Labuschagne hooked a Doggett bouncer.

But Labuschagne hung around for the umpires to check the catch, and a routine check of the bowler’s front foot found that Doggett was close to a no-ball, which was subsequently called. Some camera angles appeared to show that Doggett had got a fraction of his foot behind the line – SA’s captain Nathan McSweeney had numerous subsequent chats to the umpires in the final session.

For a time Labuschagne seemed capable of getting to stumps, but when Doggett was switched to the other end, another short ball brought an indeterminate attempted pull shot, a top edge and a catch for Jason Sangha. This time Doggett’s delivery was ruled a fair one – by a millimetre or two.

Lehmann keeps dad awake with century

With a pair of heart emojis, Darren Lehmann let the world know how proud he was of his son Jake’s sturdy century for South Australia on day two.

Recently hired as the coach of Northamptonshire in English county cricket, Darren was awake well into the night in the UK to witness Jake’s hundred, which was artfully composed, his fourth of the season and third in as many matches.

It was not just an intelligent innings but a highly important one for SA, ensuring that the advantage claimed by the pace bowlers was not lost by a flaky batting reply.

With a willing ally in Nathan McAndrew, Lehmann skated to 98, then found himself facing the medium pacers of Labuschagne after the Queensland skipper brought himself on to bowl – he had also done so when Lehmann came in to bat on day one.

After a couple of short balls, Labuschagne drifted just wide of the off stump, allowing Lehmann to force into the off side between a couple of deep fielders, and race back for the two runs he needed. A crowd banner lauded “King Jake”, much as his prolific father had once been called “King Boof” at Adelaide Oval.

Jake Lehmann and the banner in his honour.Credit: Getty Images

McDermott’s screamer frustrates Manenti

For much of their stand of 72, all-rounder Ben Manenti looked just as good as Lehmann, if not better. He had struck seven boundaries and one sublimely hooked six off Callum Vidler on the way to 47 when wrist spinner Mitchell Swepson was introduced by Labuschagne.

Swepson’s first ball was a little wide and a little short, prompting Manenti to lean back and swat hard towards midwicket.

A disappointed Ben Manenti after Ben McDermott’s catch.Credit: Getty Images

He did so with power but a flat enough trajectory for Ben McDermott to stick out his right hand and take a blinding catch. Manenti took a while to leave the crease, mystified as to how McDermott’s interception had succeeded.

Queensland 95 and 3-177 (Labuschagne 61, Doggett 2-38) lead South Australia 271 (Lehmann 102, Vidler 4-64) by one run

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