Sheffield Shield leaders South Australia have shattered Queensland’s hopes of making the final, driving home their advantage at Karen Rolton Oval.
After centuries to Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey and Jake Lehmann, the home side declared on Sunday at an imposing 7-614.
Opening bowler Nathan McAndrew then tore through the Queensland top order to leave the visitors in tatters at 3-13.
Henry Thornton claimed the key wicket of Test batsman Marnus Labuschagne to compound the Bulls’ problems and at stumps on day two they were in deep trouble at 5-110.
Queensland started the last round in second place, but NSW, WA and Victoria have the same number of wins and less than five points separate the four teams on the ladder.
So barring a miracle over the next two days, Queensland are out of title contention.
SA resumed on Sunday at a healthy 4-359, with Carey and Lehmann at the crease.
Carey posted his third Shield ton of the summer and Lehmann scored his second in as many games to pile the pain onto Queensland.
When Carey was dismissed for 104 from 100 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes, he and Lehmann had put on 175 for the fifth wicket.
Lehmann finished on 130no off 182 deliveries, with 14 fours, after combining with Ben Manenti (49) and McAndrew (41) to further bolster SA’s imposing first innings total.
Already in dire straits, Queensland had the worst possible start to their innings when McAndrew trapped openers Lachie Hearne and Matt Renshaw lbw in his first over.
He also removed Jake Clayton to end the day with 3-36.
With Labuschagne at the crease, Queensland still had faint hope of a counterattack.
But Thornton (2-32) had him caught by Manenti at second slip for 23, before removing Ben McDermott (35) through a skied pull gloved by Carey.
Jimmy Peirson and Michael Neser are the not-out batsmen, with the visitors still more than 500 runs behind.
SA are well clear at the top of the Shield ladder and will host the final from March 24-28 at Karen Rolton Oval, after the AFL rejected a push for the match to be played at nearby Adelaide Oval.
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