Tigers eye lead after Lockyear half-century

Tasmania 3 for 251 (Lockyear 85, Doolan 66) trail Queensland 326 (Townsend 121, Griffith 5-85) by 75 runs
Scorecard

Half-centuries from Rhett Lockyear and Alex Doolan guided Tasmania to a strong position to push for first-innings points over Queensland. The Tigers closed the second day at 3 for 251, still needing 76 runs to take the lead after their fast bowler Adam Griffith completed an outstanding comeback with a five-wicket haul.

Griffith had not played for Tasmania since late 2007 after suffering a serious knee injury that required a reconstruction. In his first game back he was the pick of the bowlers with 5 for 85, including two wickets on the second morning as Queensland added 82 to their overnight total.

Ed Cowan (22) and Lockyear gave the Tigers a good start with a 61-run opening stand before Nathan Reardon had Cowan caught behind. Lockyear and Doolan continued to build and took the score to 1 for 167 with Lockyear passing his best first-class score but he failed to post a maiden century when he was caught behind off Luke Feldman for 85.

Ben Cutting picked up the other wicket, that of Doolan for 66, before George Bailey (49 not out) and Daniel Marsh (21 not out) steered Tasmania to stumps with no further losses. If the Tigers take a first-innings lead they will be extra keen to push for an outright win, as they sit second-last on the competition table.