A century by Marnus Labuschagne has steered Queensland to a commanding position in the Sheffield Shield final against NSW in Brisbane.
Labuschagne ensured the Bulls are in complete control, lifting them to 2-211 and an overall lead of 68 at tea on day two at Allan Border Field.
The Test No.3 batsman was unbeaten on 115 and captain Usman Khawaja was not out 23, with Queensland in the box seat to claim Shield title No.9 and their first since 2017-18.
The Bulls batsmen took charge after Michael Neser (5-27) and new ball partner Jack Wildermuth (4-21) routed NSW for 143 on Thursday.
Labuschagne brought up his fourth shield ton of the season - the most centuries in the 2020-21 competition - and eighth of his shield career with a reverse sweep for four off Test teammate Nathan Lyon (1-59).
Overall Labuschagne has struck 17 boundaries, pushing his Shield season run tally to 744 runs at 82.66, 178 runs shy of the leading scorer, Western Australia's Cameron Green (922).
The Bulls resumed on Friday at 1-58 and emerged from the morning session unscathed at 1-119 before opener Bryce Street's determined innings finally ended before tea.
Street was smartly caught behind by Trent Copeland for 46 off Lyon, ending a 126-run second wicket stand with Labuschagne.
Street played an anchor role, hitting just five fours in his 203-ball knock.
He was worked over early on Friday by Test seamer Josh Hazlewood (1-28), offering a chance on 14 when he knicked a delivery between wicketkeeper Baxter Holt and first slip to the boundary.
The left-hander was given another life on 27 when NSW skipper Kurtis Patterson grassed a chance in the slips off Lyon.
IPL duties ensured NSW were without Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, David Warner and Moises Henriques for the Shield final.
But the Blues were still backing themselves to claim consecutive Shield titles for the first time since 1993-94 and a record 48th crown overall with a bowling arsenal featuring Lyon, Hazlewood, Copeland, Test quick Mitchell Starc and Sean Abbott.
However, the Blues now look set to suffer just their second loss in 14 games against Queensland after a nightmare start to the Shield decider.
