Tigers close in despite Kruger's resistance

Queensland 326 & 5 for 159 (Kruger 93) lead Tasmania 427 (Bailey 115, Lockyear 85, Doolan 66, Cutting 6-90) by 58 runs
Scorecard

Nick Kruger's 93 delayed Tasmania's charge but Queensland will need a significant lower-order rally to save the game after holding a 58-run lead entering the final day. The hosts earned an advantage of 101 after George Bailey's second century of the season came in the face of some painful fast bowling from Ben Cutting, who captured 6 for 90.

Queensland, who finished the day at 5 for 159, were in big trouble at 3 for 29 after Adam Maher collected Wade Townsend, the first-innings century-maker, and Lee Carseldine in three deliveries. Ryan Broad had already departed for 2 in a poor start to Queensland's attempt to set the hosts a testing target. The opener Kruger stepped up and moved close to a century before pulling Brendan Drew to deep midwicket late in the afternoon, leaving Chris Hartley (26) with a big assignment on the final day.

Bailey picked up first-innings points as his side reached 427, with Drew (35) and Adam Griffith (40) helping out towards the end. The captain spent 167 balls at the crease, hitting 17 fours and a six, before becoming one of Cutting's caught-behind victims.

Cutting continued his excellent season and the wicketkeeper Hartley helped him, taking three of his six catches off the fast bowler. Cutting roughed up Tim Paine, John Rogers and Drew with blows on the body before removing them and added five victims on the third day to take his season-best tally to 31.