Maher unhappy with Tasmanian tactics

Tasmania 4 for 402 dec and 1 for 8 drew with Queensland 8 for 400 dec and 322 (Hopes 111, Philipson 101*)
Scorecard

Jimmy Maher, Queensland's captain, today lashed out at Tasmanian tactics as their Pura Cup clash ended in a disappointing, rain-marred draw today. Tasmania picked up two first-innings points by declaring at 4 for 402 on day three to edge ahead of Queensland's first innings of 8 for 400 declared.

Today Queensland were bowled out in their second innings for 322, effectively ending the contest with Tasmania needing an impossible 321 off 35 overs for outright victory. The match was called off at 4.25pm local time because of the rain only five overs into the run chase with Tasmania on 1 for 8.

Tasmania are now second in the Pura Cup table with 22 points, while Queensland are third on 16 points, but Maher said Tasmania seemed to be chasing the two points, not six. "I showed my hand on day one by declaring at 8 for 400," he said. "Tasmania decided to bat past us to get 402, that has happened forever and a day down here. They always come to get two points or they seem to be playing to get two points. We are not a charity.

"When he [Dan Marsh] passed us at 4 for 402, if he wanted to win the game that bad why wouldn't he get a lead of 200 and then try and bowl us out? It is disappointing in that regard for me. Ideally you want to get six points, you want to host the final, not just make it."

But Marsh hit back, saying he wasn't happy with the tied result himself, and he didn't believe Queensland's first-innings declaration was particularly generous. "We would have liked to get six points, but unfortunately things didn't go that way," he said. "Obviously we wanted to get as many wickets as we could and we did well to get 4 for 90 and then they shut up shop a little bit, especially this morning they weren't very positive at all. Once we saw how they were playing in the first session, it was always going to be tough to get a result."

On a more positive note, Maher singled out newcomer Craig Philipson for praise. Philipson posted 101 not out on his first-class debut, in 300 minutes off 232 balls with 13 fours, and was the last left standing for Queensland. James Hopes also racked up a century before being caught at point by Scott Mason off Gerard Denton for 111.

Andrew Downton was the main wicket-taker for Tasmania, snaring 4 for 59 off 18.4 overs. Michael Dighton, the Tasmanian middle-order batsman, was named Man of the Match for his 127 not out in the first innings.