South Australia 9 for 154 (Swepson 5-55) trail Queensland 5 for 496 dec (Renshaw 168*, Khawaja 131, Peirson 109) by 342 runs
Former Test opener Matt Renshaw reached his first Sheffield Shield century in over two years while Jimmy Peirson produced his maiden first-class century to put Queensland on top as South Australia collapsed at Glenelg Oval.
Mitchell Swepson claimed his third consecutive five-wicket haul, albeit with some helpful umpiring decisions, to again press his credentials for a call-up to the Test squad as the Redbacks disintegrated late on day two.
Renshaw's last Shield century came in March of 2018 just prior to his last-minute recall to Australia's Test team for the infamous final Test in South Africa. He made three more first-class centuries in the first three months of the 2018 county season for Somerset but had since endured a stretch of 41 first-class innings without reaching three figures, during which time he was dropped by both Australia and Queensland and took a break from the game.
Batting at No. 5 for just the fifth time in his career, Renshaw began the day on 84 alongside Peirson, who was 60 not out, following a dominant opening day. Renshaw nudged his way to a century, bringing it up with a thick edge to third man while Peirson cruised to his maiden hundred from just 116 balls before falling just one run shy of a 200-run stand.
Renshaw then teed off on legspinner Lloyd Pope, clubbing him for 23 in an over to race past 150 and set Queensland up for a lunchtime declaration at 5 for 496. South Australia's bowlers suffered another hiding. In five bowling innings in four matches this season the Redbacks have taken five wickets or fewer four times and are yet to bowl a side out. They have conceded 480 or more in the first innings of all four matches.
Queensland's attack took 9 for 154 on the same surface in the afternoon. The extra pace of Brendan Doggett and sharp spin of Swepson did the damage. Travis Head continued his outstanding form striking seven boundaries in 37 but was unfortunate to be given out lbw to Swepson when a big spinning leg-break from around the wicket appeared to strike him outside the line.
That sparked a calamitous collapse. Will Bosisto faced 139 balls for 38 before holing out to point and then Harry Nielsen nicked the second ball he faced attempting an expansive drive on the up. Swepson got another fortuitous decision when Liam Scott was given out lbw despite a huge inside edge, but he was too good for Chadd Sayers and Wes Agar to bag his fourth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.
The collapse was complete when Daniel Worrall was run out for a diamond duck. The retiring Callum Ferguson was left stranded 11 not out at stumps with the Redbacks still 342 runs behind.