Joe Burns continued his good form in the Sheffield Shield with a career-best score as Queensland pushed for a result with a declaration
Brydon Coverdale05-Dec-2017
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Eyes on the ball: Joe Burns launches one straight•Cricket Australia/Getty Images
Joe Burns scored the first double-century of his first-class career as Queensland fought back into their match against South Australia on the third day in Cairns. Queensland declared 96 behind, on 5 for 389, hoping to set up a result on the final day, and at stumps South Australia were 2 for 59 in their second innings, with Callum Ferguson on 25 and Travis Head on 21.Queensland had resumed on 4 for 123 in reply to South Australia’s 485, but Burns and Jack Wildermuth began the rebuild with a 104-run stand before Wildermuth was bowled by Adam Zampa. Burns found another ally when the young Queensland captain Jimmy Peirson joined him for 186-run partnership that pushed them up to 5 for 389 before Peirson declared.Peirson had denied himself the opportunity for a maiden first-class hundred, finishing on 82 not out, but he ensured Burns had time to reach his double-century. Burns, who was in Australia’s Test side last summer, is in fine form at the moment, having added 202 not out to his previous two Shield innings of 81 and 103. Aspiring Test bowler Chadd Sayers picked up 1 for 59.