Queensland have made the most of favourable batting conditions with their lower order holding South Australia at bay
Western Australia or New South Wales need to pull off victories on Tuesday’s on final day of the regular season to stop Queensland from clinching a spot in the Sheffield Shield decider.
Jimmy Peirson and Jack Wildermuth's day-three centuries against South Australia (who have already sewn up Sheffield Shield final hosting rights) have put the Bulls in pole position to set-up a Karen Rolton Oval rematch in next week's five-day contest.
Both WA and the Blues remain in the hunt going into the fourth days of their respective matches at the WACA Ground and Bellerive Oval.
An outright win for either would see them jump Queensland into second spot. If both win, NSW will go through. Victoria cannot qualify unless the Bulls and Blues lose, while Tasmania have been eliminated from contention.
| Live Shield standings | W / L / D | Bat bonus | Bowl bonus | Points |
| SA (Q) | 6 / 1 / 2 | 5.46 | 8.3 | 54.61 |
| Queensland | 3 / 3 / 3 | 7.5 | 8.3 | 38.76 |
| NSW | 3 / 3 / 3 | 6.99 | 7.4 | 36.39 |
| WA | 3 / 3 / 3 | 5.83 | 7.6 | 35.43 |
| Victoria | 3 / 5 / 1 | 5.19 | 8.3 | 33.49 |
| Tasmania | 2 / 5 / 2 | 6.41 | 7.2 | 29.92 |
Current round's bonus points included in above table. Teams will gain six points for a victory, one point for a draw, no points for a loss.
While Queensland's own path to victory has all but been snuffed out by a flat pitch and SA not needing to push for a result, their lower-order rearguard might have won them enough bonus points to secure second spot on the standings.
Taking only four SA wickets before the 100-over cut-off (and only seven before the home side declared on 7-614) meant Marnus Labuschagne's men needed to pass 330 within the first 100 overs of their reply to hedge against the possibility of a Victoria win in Perth.
That looked a distant prospect for the Bulls when they slumped to 5-86 on day two. But along with Michael Neser (68), Peirson (128) and Wildermuth (104 from only 90 balls) ensured the visitors got there comfortably on day three before they were all out for 370.
Presuming Queensland bank an extra point for the draw against SA, their first-innings batting effort was enough to take their points total to 39.50, clear of the maximum amount the Vics can reach after failing to register any batting bonus points against WA.
If the Bulls go through, they will be the first team to qualify for a Shield final with only three victories in a completed season since WA in 2003-04.
South Australia, three wins clear of second place heading into the last round of the season, had no incentive to enforce the follow-on on Monday and can now essentially use day four as centre-wicket batting practice.
Given his side's push to play the Shield final at Adelaide Oval was nixed by the AFL, SA coach Ryan Harris will be eager for his batters to get used to scoring big runs at Karen Rolton Oval where they will return next week.
More to come.
