Renshaw digs deep for redemption

THE first Sheffield Shield match played in Cairns has ended in a listless draw with South Australia setting Queensland a nearimpossible victory target in little more than a session yesterday.

Chasing 331 to win, Queensland bunkered down and had reached 3-125 off 42 overs when play was called off at Cazaly’s Stadium.

Dumped Test opener Matthew Renshaw cast aside a first-innings failure to defy the Redbacks’ push for victory with a stoic 51 not out.

Queensland was briefly threatened at 3-82 midway through the final session but injury returnee Sam Heazlett helped steady the ship with 22 not out.

Seamer Chadd Sayers, who was released from Australia’s Test squad to play in the match, impressed with the ball, taking 2-13 from nine typically tight overs.

Earlier, South Australia batted well into the middle session, holding back its declaration until reaching 7-234.

Resuming at a shaky 2-59, the Redbacks were able to steady the ship thanks to half centuries from Travis Head (65) and Callum Ferguson (59).

Queensland had made a sporting declaration during the final session on Tuesday, 96 runs behind its opponent at 5-389.

Former Test batsman Joe Burns scored a career-best 202 not out in the Bulls’ first innings but did not last the second time, dismissed by Sayers for only 4.