Queensland will need a miracle if they’re to have any chance of defending their Sheffield Shield title after crashing to 7-185 at stumps on day three of the final at Bellerive.
The Bulls were still 234 behind the home side’s first innings of 419 as their batsmen misfired on a rain-disrupted day.
Only Peter Forrest (56) and wicketkeeper Chris Hartley (36) looked like building substantial innings, but a slow Bellerive pitch meant they struggled to gather any of the momentum their side needed.
Skipper James Hopes (23no) and Nathan Hauritz (0no) will resume in what looks increasingly like a lost cause, with only a win being enough for the Bulls.
Tasmania’s attack stayed patient, dead-pitch specialist Evan Gulbis bagging 3-39, while a disastrous runout late on Sunday added to the visitors’ woes.
More than two hours were lost because of rain, despite bright sunshine for most of that time.
Players left the ground at 11.50am (AEDT) as a short but heavy shower hit Bellerive after only 14.1 overs had been bowled in the morning session.
But an apparent delay in covering the pitch meant it became wet and umpires weren’t satisfied the ground was safe until 2.25pm.
It wasn’t the only setback for Queensland after Joe Burns (6) was dismissed controversially.
The rising star was out to a superb low-diving effort from Tigers keeper Tim Paine, but commentators questioned whether the ball had carried and replays were inconclusive.
Burns’ loss left the visitors 4-81 after they had resumed at 1-12 and needing to force the pace of the match.
Opener Luke Pomersbach (17) and Forrest had put on 46 before Pomersbach was bowled by Luke Butterworth (1-30), and it was 3-70 when Nathan Reardon (13) prodded at a good length delivery from Gulbis.
Australian one-day representative Forrest took 172 balls for his 56 and the Bulls were left 5-128 when he was trapped in front by Gulbis.
A sluggish attempt at a single by Hartley resulted in him being run out at 6-163 as the lights began to take effect late in the day before Gulbis had Michael Neser caught behind.
The Tigers need only a draw to claim their third title and a first state trophy for champion Ricky Ponting.
Richard
Guest
Nice team Jameswn. You are right a point I have been meaning to make about Silk and Punter but don't have much time for Roar comments. There is a nice symmetry regarding Silk and Ponting. This may have been Pontings last first class game in Australia and Silk has only played a few. Could this be the birth of another legend?
jameswm
Roar Guru
OK, here's a combined Tas/Qld team from that final, not including the retired Punter. Silk Cosgrove Doolan Bailey Burns Hopes, better all rounder than Henriques or Maxie Paine/Hartley Faulkner Butterworth Harris Hilfy Batting a little weak, with Hopes at 6. But 7-9 is solid batting, and you should be able to rely on the top 5 to score runs. No spinner, so think SOK or Agar there, or Ahmed if available. By the way - how good is it for kids like Jordan Silk to have someone like Punter playing Shield cricket with him? Even Cossie seems to have trimmed down.
jameswm
Roar Guru
I agree with Richard, both are bowling all rounders. But the problem with being a bowling all rounder, is you really have to be one of our best 4 bowlers, or very close. If you're a batting all rounder, then you have to be good enough to nail down the no.6 slot, or be close to the 6th best batsman so your bowling tips the scales in your favour. Unfortunately for us Henriques and Maxwell are nowhere near the best 6 batsmen. SOK, Butterworth, Faulkner, are any of them close to being in our top 4 bowlers? Not really, only with injuries.
Tassie ted
Guest
The. Bull crappers need more than a miracle now ...he he lalalalaalalal what's that I hear ..
Richard
Guest
Disagree, they are definitely bowling all rounders. Someone has take the bullet in the test setup. If they try and spin there way out of this then all hope is gone.
James
Guest
Except neither of them are really all rounders. They are front line bowlers who average in the low 20's and are able to handle the bat and average in the high 20's Instead we pick front line bowlers who average over 30
Richard
Guest
I'd be getting a swag of guys from both teams into the test team as soon as possible, The pansies in the test team need a good clean out, starting with Watson. I notice he is already on the PR regarding starting bowling again. Give it a break, its over mate! Jettison the guy and get some new talent in asap.
Richard
Guest
I have to say Tassie has an great batting line up right down to 9. To turn it around the way Paine and Faulkner did was pretty exceptional. Faulkner must be in the ashes squad, he has been sensational all season. I know all rounders are not the flavor of the month right now but you would have to say that Faulkner and Butterworth are the real deal after this display. It seams that the spirit of Australian cricket is being kept alive in the bowling department at the moment both with bat and ball
Richard
Guest
I think the winner of the shield should be the winner of the final, if drawn then first innings points.
Richard
Guest
Why not. They have to chase it, they have to win the game a draw is not an option. That clears the mind as far as Queensland is concerned its all or nothing. I wouldn't be giving them any daylight if I was Bailey.
Andrew
Guest
The requirement for a draw for the hosting team to win the shield should be drop in favour in a bowl off (even inside the nets if necessary). The winning team of the bowl off become the champion of the shield. It will prevent hosting teams from batting the visiting team out of the match. A home ground advantage is a big advantage for a team (they should know the pitch of that area better than the visiting team).
JGK
Roar Guru
Bailey said he'd prefer to win the match rather than draw it. Qld aren't chasing 450 in 80 overs.
Richard
Guest
Maybe, but I think Tassie will take the shield win any way they can get it and thats fair enough. It looks like a pretty awesome game of cricket to me. If Tassie win it will go deep into day 5 and Qld had thier chance and couldn't quite take it. having said that the fat lady hasn't sung. could Qld score 450 to win on the last day :)
JGK
Roar Guru
I think they'll bat tomorrow until Faulkner gets his ton.
Red Kev
Guest
Also you have to look at it from Bailey's point of view, he has a chance to send Ponting off with a Shield win. Batting Queensland out of the match is reasonable from that standpoint. Mind you they are 435 ahead and it is stumps on Day 4 ans he still hasn't declared, I'd prefer a little more tension in the match.
JGK
Roar Guru
Paine falls on 87.
Richard
Guest
Its 5 day cricket roarsome. Only a few hours ago Queendsland were right back in this and its not over yet. Australia's top order could learn a lot out of the way Tassie played the first innings. Concentration and technique goes a long way in 5 day cricket.
James
Guest
Also nice to watch batsmen actually apply themselves on a difficult pitch.
James
Guest
Don't disagree that he probably isn't quite at Australia level but he doesn't even get picked for Australia A. If he doesn't go on the Australia A tour to the UK and Ireland later in the year, then it is a complete disgrace.
JGK
Roar Guru
Also, it is nice to have the odd game where the bowlers are forced to take wickets rather than relying on batsmen to surrender them.