Cooper's 178 gives South Australia massive lead

A superb 178 from experienced South Australia batsman Tom Cooper put the Redbacks in command on day two of the clash with Queensland at Adelaide Oval.

Cooper, 31, was initially not selected for the match, with the return of Redbacks skipper Travis Head from Test duties having squeezed him out. But a calf injury to Callum Ferguson saw Cooper recalled and he cashed in to give the Redbacks a healthy first-innings lead.

His 11th first-class century featured 22 fours and two sixes. He put on a 107-run stand with opener Jake Weatherald, who made a patient 69 before nicking Luke Feldman.

Head fell in a very similar fashion for just 16. Michael Neser managed to nip one across the left-hander and catch his outside edge.

Cooper was joined by the in-form Jake Lehmann and the pair combined for a 143-run partnership before Cooper fell to Brendan Doggett for 178. Lehmann continued his good touch after scores of 61 and 33 not out last week against New South Wales. He moved to 76 from 111 balls at stumps, including nine fours and a six, and will hope to push on to his seventh first-class century on day three.

Queensland used seven bowlers, including the part-time off-spin of opener Matt Renshaw, but struggled to make inroads a flat surface.