Bailey, quicks leave Tasmania five wickets away from win

Captain George Bailey's 86 and twin strikes each from Jackson Bird and Gabe Bell combined to take Tasmania only five wickets away from victory. Set a daunting target of 386, South Australia ended the third day on 5 for 124 with an entire day to spare at the Adelaide Oval.

Resuming on 2 for 79, Bailey had to carry the Tasmania middle order as none of his team-mates could cross 25 on the third day. He scored his third straight 50-plus score - after 106 and 59 against Victoria - to take the lead past 300 before Adam Zampa (3 for 85) took two middle-order wickets and Kane Richardson (4 for 30) wiped out the tail. By the time they were dismissed for 244, Tasmania's lead had neared 400.

Under 10 overs into the chase, 22-year old Bell removed the South Australia openers cheaply before Callum Ferguson and Travis Head stitched a 60-run stand to steer them towards 100. Once left-arm quick Sam Rainbird removed Head for a brisk 31, Bird struck twice in the 34th over to rattle the stumps of Jake Lehmann (17) and Joe Mennie (0). The doube-strike left South Australia five down for 119. Ferguson was unbeaten on 46 with a tall task for the last day.