Townsend, Forrest give Queensland lead

South Australia 1 for 26 and 349 lead Queensland 3 for 350 (Townsend 166*, Forrest 94) by 25 runs
Scorecard

An unbeaten century from Wade Townsend and Peter Forrest's 94 gave Queensland the first-innings lead against South Australia at the Adelaide Oval. Queensland continued their cautious approach from the second day, on which they reached 0 for 44, and their run-rate hovered around the 2.50 mark for most of the third. Townsend and Forrest's 179-run partnership for the third wicket formed the bulk of the innings and Queensland decided to declare as soon as they secured points for the lead. They then managed to strike in the eight overs they bowled at South Australia, though a draw is still the likely result.

Forrest joined Townsend after a couple of quick wickets but they looked began to build a partnership. Townsend looked solid while Forrest hit five fours and a six before reaching his half-century in the 70th over. He survived a confident appeal for a caught-behind off the bowling of Daniel Christian just before tea, and Queensland went into the break on 2 for 253.

Christian had picked up the second wicket to fall in the morning, getting one to seam away and take the edge of Joe Burns' bat to dismiss him for 7. It gave wicketkeeper Adam Crosthwaite his second catch of the day. The first had been a difficult one; Crosthwaite dived and caught an edge off Ryan Broad's bat with one hand.

That left Queensland 2 for 80 but Townsend and Forrest's partnership ensured they took the first-innings lead. Forrest fell after tea, top-edging a pull to mid-off, but Townsend remained firm and moved to 166 not out. Chris Lynn gave him company in a quick partnership of 91 runs from 24.4 overs that took Queensland past South Australia's score.