Marnus Labuschagne has sent national selectors a strong message with a Sheffield Shield century for Queensland against Tasmania at Allan Border Field, even if it did come with a few slices of luck.
Labuschagne brought up his century on the stroke of lunch with a cover drive off Kieran Elliott that almost made it to the rope for four, but the Queensland captain and his batting partner Jack Clayton ran four anyway.
Batting at number tree, Labuschagne, who was dropped from the Test side following June’s World Test Championship final loss to South Africa, needed just 154 deliveries to reach his 33rd first class century, striking nine fours and a six in a more aggressive display.
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That more attacking approach almost backfired spectacularly on 98, however.
Labuschagne charged at Tasmanian off spinner Nivethan Radhakrishnan and almost squandered his chance at a century, outside edging a chance to wicketkeeper Jake Doran, which the gloveman grassed.
It also meant that Doran missed the stumping too, and the catch could have easily looped up to Jackson Bird at first slip.
It was Labuschagne’s second reprieve of his innings, being dropped by a diving Doran earlier when he tickled a leg glance down the leg side on 61.
Labuschagne reached lunch on day three unbeaten 105 with Queensland 2/350 in reply to Tasmania’s first innings of 379.
At the other end, Clayton is 35 not out.
Matt Renshaw was the only wicket to fall in the morning session with his superb knock of 128 coming to an end when he edged a rising Elliott delivery through to Doran.
The big left-hander sent a reminder of his quality with the knock, opening the batting alongside Test veteran Usman Khawaja, who made 69 on Sunday.