Queensland's Shield final hopes all but gone after Silk century

Queensland's Sheffield Shield final hopes have all but been extinguished in their final-round match after Tasmania captain Jordan Silk posted an unbeaten century to put the game almost beyond reach.

The Bulls ended the third day trailing by a near-insurmountable 431 runs as Tasmania eased their way to 5 for 252 against an injury-hit bowling attack at Hobart's Bellerive Oval.

Queensland surrendered a 179-run deficit on the first innings despite some impressive scoring from their tail-enders and some heroics from injured fast bowler Mark Steketee.

The lower-order run-scoring became a game within a game with Queensland needing to reach 303 in their first innings to earn more bonus points than fellow Shield final aspirant Victoria. Bonus points would decide who faces Western Australia in the Shield final should Queensland and Victoria secure the same result in their respective matches.

Despite resuming at a shaky 180 for 6, Queensland ultimately fell agonisingly short with No.11 Liam Guthrie adjudged lbw to end the innings on 300.

The Bulls had looked to have no chance of reaching 303 when Max Bryant fell for an impressive 84, his highest first-class score, with Iain Carlisle picking up his maiden Shield scalp. But the tail rallied with Steketee, who has been ruled out of bowling since day one with a hip injury, scoring 43 not out and Jack Sinfield making 29. Guthrie also contributed 16 but was trapped lbw by Jackson Bird, who finished with 3 for 72.

Tasmania stumbled out of the blocks in their second innings, slipping to 29 for 2 with Tim Ward and Jake Doran both falling cheaply.

But Silk led the way with an unbeaten 101, sharing in a 111-run stand for the fifth wicket with first-innings centurion Beau Webster. There were also contributions from Caleb Jewell and Mac Wright against the weary Bulls attack.