Marnus Labuschagne has all but cemented his return to Australia's Test team after scoring his fourth century in five innings, a commanding 159 for Queensland against South Australia at Adelaide Oval on Thursday.
The right-hander, overlooked since June following a lean run, helped the Bulls reach 6-319 in reply to South Australia's 228, with 18 boundaries and a six. His summer aggregate now stands at 556 runs at an average of 111.2 across formats.
Labuschagne's unbeaten 160 in the opening Shield round was followed by this knock, prompting Australia coach Andrew McDonald's recent assessment that the 31-year-old was close to his best. He reached three figures off 129 balls when he clipped Liam Scott to the boundary, before falling late in the day to Wes Agar, caught behind by Alex Carey.
The main selection question is whether Labuschagne will bat at his preferred No 3 or open alongside Usman Khawaja. With Sam Konstas, Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft yet to impress, Jake Weatherald's 94 for Tasmania against Western Australia is the only other notable score from an opener.
If Labuschagne opens, Cameron Green can remain at No 3 and Beau Webster at No 6, subject to fitness. Khawaja made 46 for the Bulls, while young batsman Lachlan Hearne finished unbeaten on 66 as bad light ended day two early.
