Perren fights but Tigers scent victory

Clinton Perren did his best to avoid an innings defeat for Queensland but the Bulls still faced a mammoth task to save the match against Tasmania

Cricinfo staff

23-Jan-2008

Queensland 200 (Hopes 87, Geeves 5-51) and 5 for 207 (Perren 60*, Moller 51) trail Tasmania 454 by 47 runs
Scorecard

Brett Geeves collected his second five-wicket haul in first-class cricket © Getty Images

Clinton Perren did his best to avoid an innings defeat for Queensland but the Bulls still faced a mammoth task to save the match against Tasmania. Queensland went to stumps at 5 for 207 after being asked to follow-on, and were trailing by 47 runs with Perren on 60 and James Hopes on 24.

Luke Butterworth grabbed a pair of wickets in the second innings after Brett Geeves's 5 for 51 helped rattle the Bulls for 200 in their first effort. The clash between the Pura Cup's bottom two sides threatened to be a three-day rout when James Hopes (87) departed on the third morning and Geeves secured his second five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.

A solid 89-run stand between Queensland's openers Greg Moller, who made 51, and Ryan Broad (35) gave the Bulls some hope of a more competitive second innings. However, Butterworth removed them both in consecutive overs and when Jimmy Maher and Shane Watson both fell without scoring the Bulls had lost 4 for 3 to slump to 4 for 91.

Perren and Chris Simpson combined for a 68-run partnership before Simpson was caught off Ben Hilfenhaus for 31, leaving Queensland's hopes with James Hopes and Perren. Should Tasmania wrap up the victory on the final day it will be their second triumph of the season, while the Bulls have not won a match.