Queensland 3 for 286 (Labuschagne 160*) lead New South Wales 143 by 143 runs
It feels as though Marnus Labuschagne has been batting for most of the season (and the last two years). He was at it again on the second day of the Sheffield Shield final, remaining at the crease from start to finish, compiling his fourth century of the competition to put Queensland into an almost impregnable position.
With the lead already at 143 it is difficult to see a way back for New South Wales even though, in theory, they will be bowling last on a surface that is offering considerable turn. Queensland have been in no hurry - they scored 228 in 90 overs on the second day - and could look to bat most of the third day before setting about taking 10 more wickets.
While unlikely to be required with three days remaining and a good forecast, Queensland comfortably won the bonus point tally - 1.48 to 0.3 - when the 100 overs had elapsed should the game end in a draw.
Labuschagne's innings was faultless. He brought up his hundred from 187 balls and by stumps was in sight of a double. He played Nathan Lyon, who was New South Wales' main threat, expertly although as they were in the Test series against India some of Lyon's tactics and field settings were brought into question.
He and the rest of Blues' attack will be sick of the sight of Labuschagne who had scored two previous centuries against them this season. The duck in the second innings in Adelaide certainly looks like an aberration. He is now within 11 runs of being the third player to score 800 runs this season (after Cameron Green and Travis Head) and would probably be quite happy for the season to keep on going - Glamorgan, where he heads next, could get good value.
The morning contest between Labuschagne and Lyon had been absorbing, and at times amusing: against one delivery Labuschagne padded up to a delivery which brought an lbw appeal, then a frustrated Lyon questioned why one of the best batsmen in the world wasn't using his bat. When he did, the middle was big.
The first session brought just 61 runs as Labuschagne and Bryce Street consolidated Queensland's first-day gains when they removed New South Wales for 143. There was less movement for the quicks than the opening day and the slowness of the surface made it hard work for them although an edge from Street flew between the keeper and first slip off Josh Hazlewood in the first over.
Street's role should not be forgotten as he again showed his ability to bat long periods by facing more than 200 balls to wear down the attack. Both Lyon and Mitchell Starc tried to get under his skin, but he was having none of it, although he was dropped at slip off Lyon, by Kurtis Patterson, on 27 and did eventually nick one after lunch.
"Gaz [Lyon] has always tried to make me talk," he told Fox Cricket after his dismissal. "There's nothing I'd love more than to talk to a guy with 400 Test wickets but I don't want to be dragged out of my comfort zone, stay in my own little bubble, so tried to keep quiet and he got even angrier."
The scoring rate briefly lifted against the older ball as Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja took advantage of the foundation with the lead starting to grow. Shortly after tea, Starc had Khawaja taken down the leg side with the ball only five overs old but New South Wales could not conjure the run of breakthroughs they so desperately needed.
Patterson went through seven bowling options, including the legspin of Jason Sangha and medium pace of Jack Edwards, but nothing worked. When the occasional edge was found, it largely went to ground or safely into space.
When a weary attack walked off the field the fourth-wicket stand between Labuschagne and Matt Renshaw had already spanned 30 overs with the promise of more toil to come.
