Bulls ride on commanding Perren century

Queensland 252 and 3 for 288 (Perren 123*, Love 58) lead South Australia 114 (Bichel 4-37) by 426 runs
Scorecard

Clinton Perren's forceful century gave Queensland a huge lead of 426 as they controlled the second day against South Australia and attempted to jump into the outright lead in the Pura Cup table. The Bulls, who are now level with Victoria on 24, collected the two first-innings points before lunch and then set their sights on another four while reaching 3 for 288 at stumps.

In a match where the ball has dominated on a cracking pitch, Perren, who was Queensland's best batsman in the first innings with 74, controlled the opposition bowlers with an unbeaten 123 from 160 balls. Perren's eighth first-class century included some punishing strokeplay, including 18 from one over of Cullen Bailey's legspin, and he finished with 15 fours and a six.

Shaun Tait struck two blows and was on a hat-trick before tea when he knocked over the openers Jimmy Maher and Matthew Hayden with loose deliveries. Maher was caught by Callum Ferguson at point for 32 while Hayden (36) pushed a full toss straight to Darren Lehmann at cover. Perren survived his first ball, a short one at his throat that almost carried to point, and hauled Queensland away from 2 for 77 in a 165-run partnership with Love (56).

"It nearly killed me," Perren told AAP of Tait's delivery. "It just surprised me, you just don't expect that sort of ball on a hat-trick ball. But it came off and I hit the ball well so it's a relief."

The morning began in a hurry for Queensland as they struck seven times in the first session and the Redbacks toppled for 114. Andy Bichel, who picked up three victims late on day one, added a fourth with the nightwatchman Bailey before James Hopes and Ashley Noffke stepped in. Hopes removed Darren Lehmann to a skied pull shot on 17 while Noffke, who replaced Mitchell Johnson, burst through with 3 for 8 to finish the innings.