Emerging Queensland batsman Joe Burns posted a century before South Australian allrounder Dan Christian struck back with the ball in the Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide.

In reply to SA’s 9(dec)-402, the Bulls were 5-245 at lunch on Thursday’s third day with opener Wade Townsend not out 91 and James Hopes on one.

Christian has claimed four of the wickets to fall, including dismissing Burns for a polished 116.

Burns and Townsend put on 189 runs for the fourth wicket, a partnership broken by Christian some 15 minutes before lunch.

The 23-year-old Burns, who posted his fourth first-class ton from only 148 balls, was superbly stumped by Redbacks wicketkeeper Tim Ludeman.

Christian fired a ball down the leg-side which Burns failed to hit, and Ludeman rapidly removed the bails with the Queenslander short of his crease.

Christian soon struck again by trapping Chris Hartley lbw for a duck to have the fine figures of 4-49 from 19 overs.

But the lean start to the season continued for Test spinner Nathan Lyon, who failed to take a wicket.

Lyon, with 0-79 from 18 overs, has taken just two Shield wickets this season at an average of 152.