Bulls set up intriguing final day after McAndrew's six

South Australia paceman Nathan McAndrew has taken career-best figures on day three of the intriguingly poised Marsh Sheffield Shield clash against Queensland.

The 30-year-old claimed 6-41 at the Gabba to help dismiss the Bulls for 238 in reply to the Redbacks' first innings of 5-359 declared.

At stumps South Australia were 8-131 – an overall lead of 252 – after the hosts came roaring back into the match with an inspired final session in the field.

Seventeen wickets fell on a day dominated by the bowlers.

With clear skies forecast for the final day, the match is set up for an outright result with both sides in it.

Queensland resumed day three on 1-82 but McAndrew made an early statement with the wicket of Bryce Street (47) from the third ball of the morning. 

Wickets fell at regular intervals in the opening session and McAndrew had five of them by lunch, including the prize scalp of captain Usman Khawaja (3) to a seaming delivery the Test opener feathered behind. 

Fellow paceman Harry Conway (2-53) found his groove at the other end and the Bulls slumped to 8-180 just before lunch.

Enforcing the follow-on appeared to be a likely option for the Redbacks at that point but Bulls wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson (61) launched a rescue mission as he so often does. He found a willing ally in fast bowler Mark Steketee (37) in a 68-run ninth wicket stand.

Khawaja's aggressive captaincy reaped rewards as he went in search of second-innings wickets. He had six slips at one point while Michael Neser was bowling to Nathan McSweeney to showcase his intent.

That aggressive approach paid dividends from the moment first-innings century maker Henry Hunt was bowled by Jack Wildermuth for a duck.

Leg-spinner Mitch Swepson (2-23) bowled with confidence and guile and cleaned up the Redbacks' other first-innings centurion McSweeney (13) with a rip snorter. 

Fast bowler Gurinder Sandhu (3-17) made key late strikes. Exciting 21-year-old Jake Fraser-McGurk (33) played one adventurous shot too many and then Sandhu produced a superb off cutter that allrounder Ben Manenti (0) shouldered arms to.

Sheffield Shield 2023-24 standings

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Drawn D	No results N/R	Deductions Ded.	Batting Bonus Bat	Bowling Bonus Bowl	Total points PTS
1 Western Australia Men WA	10	5	2	3	0	0	5.53	9.4	47.93
2 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	10	5	2	3	0	0	6.06	8.3	47.36
3 NSW Men NSW	10	4	3	3	0	0	6.31	9	42.31
4 Victoria Men VIC	10	4	4	2	0	0	4.74	8.2	38.94
5 South Australia Men SA	10	3	6	1	0	0	5.19	9.3	33.49
6 Queensland Bulls QLD	10	2	6	2	0	0	3.54	8.3	25.84

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

D: Drawn

N/R: No results

Ded.: Deductions

Bat: Batting Bonus

Bowl: Bowling Bonus

PTS: Total points