A smoking century from Joe Burns put Queensland in the box seat in their vital Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia at the Gabba on Friday.

In a game the Bulls must win to be a shot at making the Shield final, Queensland reached 5-265 with an overall lead of 103 at tea on day two after piling on 117 without loss in the middle session.

Burns, 22, was not out 130 after sharing century stands with Alex Kemp (47) and Chris Hartley (65 not out).

Burns’ second ton of the summer helped steer Queensland past first-innings points after a mini-collapse of 3-17 in the morning session.

He shared an unbroken 117-run stand with Hartley who arrived with Queensland wobbling at 5-148 after, at one stage, cruising at 2-131.

Burns showed why he is Queensland’s leading Shield run scorer this summer by cracking 15 fours and a six during more than five hours at the crease.

When rookie opener Kemp (47) was caught cutting Peter George (2-81), Queensland were 3-131 with the Redbacks’ 162 first innings total well within reach.

But left-arm quick Gary Putland (3-46) bowled dangerman Chris Lynn (one) and had Bulls skipper James Hopes (three) caught behind just before the lunch break.

Putland and George have been a strong double act, combining for a 55-run final-wicket stand to boost South Australia’s first-innings total on Thursday before creating more headaches with the ball.