Tigers pounce after dismissing Queensland for 176

Tasmania 2 for 91 (Di Venuto 47) trail Queensland 176 (Love 66, Griffith 3-35, Geeves 3-38, Hilfenhaus 3-46) by 85 runs
Scorecard
Pura Cup table

Tasmania's brave push for a spot in the Pura Cup final received a huge boost when they dismissed Queensland for 176 on the first day at Bellerive Oval. Stuck in last spot two games ago, the Tigers have a chance of making the decider if they win outright and at stumps were 85 behind with eight first-innings wickets in hand.

Queensland sealed hosting rights for the final last week, but their preparations for the match starting on March 24 turned sour from the third over. Lachlan Stevens, who replaced Matthew Hayden, fell for 2 to Adam Griffith and he added his 45th and 46th wickets of the season with Jimmy Maher (20) and Clinton Perren (6) as the Bulls slid to 3 for 52. Brendan Nash soon became Brett Geeves's first victim before Martin Love and James Hopes steadied the situation slightly with a 34-run stand.

However, they never escaped the trouble and were 7 for 146 when Love departed for a calming 66 from 123 balls with eight fours. Scrambling from Ashley Noffke and Nathan Hauritz, playing his opening first-class game of the season, pushed Queensland to 176 as Geeves wrapped up the innings with 3 for 38. Ben Hilfenhaus also performed strongly to claim 3 for 46 and continue his impressive debut season.

Tasmania's attempt began with Tim Paine shouldering arms to Andy Bichel on 7, but Michael Di Venuto and Michael Bevan increased their advantage in a 76-run combination. Di Venuto slipped for 47 three overs from the end, edging Noffke to Perren at slip, while Bevan was unbeaten on 26.