In a commanding display of top-order dominance, Queensland’s batting trio turned the screws on Tasmania at the Gabba, leaving the visitors chasing shadows on a sun-baked Brisbane pitch. By stumps on Day Two of their Sheffield Shield clash, Queensland had roared to 248 for 1 in reply to Tasmania’s 379—all thanks to a trio of vintage performances from Matt Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, and Marnus Labuschagne.
Renshaw Anchors With Unbeaten Century
Matt Renshaw, often spoken of as a Test hopeful on the comeback trail, delivered exactly what selectors wanted to see: composure, control, and class. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 114, his first Shield century of the season, mixing solid defence with elegant cover drives that had the sparse Gabba crowd murmuring in approval .
Khawaja and Labuschagne Build the Platform
Opening the innings, veteran Usman Khawaja set the tone with a fluent 69, looking every bit the domestic stalwart he is. His partnership with Renshaw—worth 152 runs—effectively neutralized Tasmania’s bowling attack before he fell just short of a ton.
At the other end, Australia’s No. 3 in Tests, Marnus Labuschagne, walked in and looked utterly unflustered. Still not out on 54 by stumps, Labuschagne’s presence ensured Queensland not only matched Tasmania’s first-innings effort but began building a lead that could prove decisive in this four-day contest .
Why This Innings Matters
This wasn’t just about runs—it was a statement. With the Australian Test summer looming and selection debates heating up, all three batters used this match as a live audition:
- Renshaw reinforced his credentials as a reliable opener.
- Khawaja, despite his international status, showed he’s still hungry at the domestic level.
- Labuschagne maintained his red-ball rhythm ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Scorecard Snapshot: Queensland vs Tasmania
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings (Stumps, Day 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Tasmania | 379 all out | — |
| Queensland | — | 248/1 (Renshaw 114*, Labuschagne 54*) |
With a lead already building and two set batters at the crease, Queensland are in the driver’s seat. Unless Tasmania’s bowlers produce a dramatic turnaround on Day Three, the home side looks poised to take full control of this Shield fixture.