What was required, with the pitch at its most docile and biddable, was for the visitors to achieve a combination of limpet and Fast & Furious. Eventually both were achieved, but not until Doggett had prised out both McDermott and Peirson by keeping it simple, bowling a full length and swinging the old ball back into to the pads. At five down for not very much South Australia may have though that the contest was all but concluded. If they did, they were mistaken. Neser clung to the crease for over an hour; but batted himself to a standstill. As so often happens after an ascetic vigil of tortuous defence he flailed at a wide one from McAndrew and the end seemed nigh.
All through the day Jack Clayton had defended like Horatius at the bridge, but remembering always to take whatever runs might be achieved without risk. His century was well-merited, despite a near-death experience when Manenti’s clutching fingers at slip just failed to grasp him, with the ball only the width of his moustache above the turf. Yet on exactly a hundred he missed a straight one from Manenti and was trapped in front. He had however acquired Jack Wildermuth as a partner. This bloke has rare talent for a number eight, and he smote his way to a century of his own. Most of the way he was scoring at a run a ball; though with little risk. The Queensland innings closed on the stroke of evening for 445, with the persevering Doggett claiming five hard-earned wickets to pair with his six far less arduous first-innings scalps.
Tomorrow will see the endgame. Queensland have batted their way back into the game, and the home side must not falter. The target of 270 is achievable, certainly. But they will need to concentrate, and blend the grim defiance of Clayton with the exuberance of Wildermuth. More as it comes to hand.