Khawaja builds Ashes case with another Shield century

Queensland captain Usman Khawaja is mounting a compelling case for an Ashes recall after scoring his second successive Sheffield Shield century while Matt Renshaw also reached three-figures as Queensland put Tasmania to the sword on day two in Townsville.

Tasmania reached stumps 4 for 150, still 337 runs in arrears on the first innings after Queensland made 6 for 487 declared following centuries from Khawaja, Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne.

Khawaja continued his fine form following on from his 174 against South Australia to register his 32nd first-class century. He feasted on Tasmania's spin duo of Jarrod Freeman and Tom Andrews smacking 11 fours and four sixes. Khawaja shared a 155-run stand with Renshaw and looked well set for another score of 150 plus but he fell to Beau Webster who switched from medium pace to offspin to find the breakthrough.

Webster had no such luck with Renshaw who was savage on the Tasmania captain. He too struck four sixes and 12 boundaries in his 120 not out. Renshaw's first 50 was circumspect but he unleashed thereafter, scoring 69 from his last 62 balls. He began the 136th over of the innings on 97 and clubbed Webster for a boundary to bring up his 13th first-class century. He then smashed three sixes in four balls before Queensland declared just shy of 500.

Tasmania's top three were unable to replicate Queensland's batters, all failing to convert starts. Tim Ward fell, hooking Gurinder Sandhu, hitting it straight down deep square's throat.

Connor Sully took a wicket with his first ball in Shield cricket, getting some steep bounce to find Caleb Jewell's outside edge. Charlie Wakim played nicely for 34 before he was out trying to sweep Matt Kuhnemann, getting a top edge to short fine. Kuhnemann also had Jake Doran caught at short leg with a delivery that turned and bounced.

Webster steadied alongside Jordan Silk to see Tasmania through to stumps. Silk played nicely for his 45 not out although he was fortunate to survive a bizarre moment when he defended a ball onto his foot only for it to pop up to silly mid-off. Renshaw, stationed in close, knocked the catch to the keeper Jimmy Peirson but the umpires could not be certain it didn't touch the ground.