Bulls grind towards lead after Broad ton

Queensland 5 for 358 (Broad 103, Carseldine 80, Hartley 66*, Simpson 57*) trail Western Australia 9 for 406 dec by 48 runs
Scorecard

Ryan Broad scored a century in a Sheffield Shield match for the third consecutive time as Queensland came within sight of first-innings points against Western Australia. The Bulls finished the third day 48 short of the Warriors' total with Chris Hartley on 66 and Chris Simpson unbeaten on 57.

With only one day remaining, first-innings honours appear to be the only realistic prize and Hartley and Simpson gave Queensland a strong chance with their unbroken 124-run stand. They came together after the loss of Lee Carseldine, who made 80 and set things on the right track with a 104-run partnership with Broad.

Broad resumed the day on 56 and went on to reach 103 from 253 balls. Broad finished last summer with centuries in two consecutive Sheffield Shield games and his form at the start of this season has confirmed his place as one of the most promising batsmen in state cricket.

But it was slow going from the Bulls, who at one point during the day scored four runs in nine overs. Queensland's defensive tactics were partially caused by injuries to their fast bowlers Grant Sullivan and Ben Laughlin, who will not bowl again in the match.