Lehmann’s ton gives SA command of Queensland in Shield
Jake Lehmann has scored a century to put South Australia in a powerful position against Queensland on day two of the Sheffield Shield final.
A classy Jake Lehmann century has gifted South Australia complete command of Queensland in the Sheffield Shield final.
After bowling the Bulls out for 95, the South Australians were all out for 271 when lunch was taken on Thursday’s second day of play in Adelaide.
Lehmann, the son of SA great Darren Lehmann who featured in the state’s last shield triumph in 1995/96, made a sterling 102.
The lefthander posted his third century in as many Shield games, reaching the milestone from 135 balls at Karen Rolton Oval.
Lehmann’s knock was laced with 15 fours as SA seek to collect the Shield and one-day titles in the same season for the first time.
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SA, who won the 50-over final against Victoria on March 1, resumed at 6-158 and Lehmann featured in a pair of productive partnerships.
The 32-year-old and Ben Manenti (47 from 59 balls) crafted a 72-run union before the Bulls broke through on Thursday.
Legspinner Mitch Swepson’s first ball of the day was a rank long hop which Manenti smashed in the vicinity of Ben McDermott at midwicket.
McDermott pulled in a screamer of a catch, instinctively flinging his right hand high above his head to complete a one-hander as Manenti stood stunned at the crease.
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Lehmann was joined by Nathan McAndrew and the pair scored freely in a match-high 85-run stand, punctuated by Lehmann registering his 14th first-class century.
McAndrew’s valuable innings of 39 ended when edging to Usman Khawaja at first slip from the bowling of Jack Wildermuth (3-39).
The Bulls paceman struck again two balls later when Brendan Doggett (duck) nicked to McDermott at second slip.
Lehmann’s innings ended soon after – he was last man out when caught from a skied cover drive from the bowling of Mark Steketee (1-51).
But his century ensured SA, despite Queensland’s 19-year-old paceman Callum Vidler’s return of 4-64, continued to ride momentum established on the opening day.
SA’s bowlers, spearheaded by former Queenslander Doggett, skittled the Bulls for the lowest first innings total of any Shield final.
Doggett took 6-31 amid a spectacular top-order collapse of 5-7 in 34 balls.
