Johnson makes Tasmania suffer

Tasmania 5 for 148 (Di Venuto 49) and 268 trail Queensland 459 (Maher 153, Hopes 77, Hartley 76, Bichel 56) by 43 runs
Scorecard

Queensland moved into a dominant position at the end of the third day of their Pura Cup match against Tasmania at Brisbane. Queensland compiled 459 and Tasmania finished the day trailing by 43 runs in their second innings with only five wickets remaining after Australia A quick Mitchell Johnson took 3 for 6 in 20 balls.

Called up to the Australia A side that recently toured Pakistan on the back of just six first-class appearances for Queensland, Johnson was watched by Australia's chief selector Trevor Hohns. A left-handed quick, Johnson, 23, seems to have recovered from the injuries that have blighted his career since Dennis Lillee described him as a "once-in-a-lifetime" quick at the age of 16 and is in frame for a call-up to the full Australian squad to face West Indies.

Jamie Cox and Michael Di Venuto started Tasmania's reply to Queensland's total well, seeing off Andy Bichel, who picked up six wickets in the first innings, Joe Dawes and James Hopes with ease as they reached 80. An inswinger from Andrew Symonds accounted for Di Venuto and he and Johnson worked well in tandem.

Johnson found some extra pace to bounce out David Dawson and then had Cox and Birt caught in the cordon. Symonds picked up the final wicket of the day, inducing an edge off Scott Kremerskothen's bat that was brilliantly caught at slip by Martin Love. Tasmania had lost five wickets for 59.

Asked if he had thought of his international prospects, Johnson said: "No not at all. I'm just worried about playing first-class cricket at the moment. That hasn't even popped into my head. I got on a bit of a roll [today] but that happens in cricket and it was a good feeling."

Earlier, the morning session proved crucial. With Queensland holding a lead of just five runs overninght and five wickets remaining, Tasmania needed early breakthroughs, and one came when Lachlan Stevens was removed by Adam Griffith - via the hands of captain Di Venuto - without adding to his overnight score.

Tasmania's joy was short-lived however. Queensland captain Jimmy Maher, unbeaten on 108 overnight, put on 92 with Chris Hartley before he eventually fell for 153. Next man in Andy Bichel offered no respite, adding a further 70 with Hartley as both passed their fifties. Queensland were eventually dismissed for 459, a lead of 191.