Queensland win despite Milenko-Stevenson heroics

When Tasmania fell to 8 for 114 after lunch on the final day at the Gabba chasing 352, a win appeared nowhere near possible and even coming away with a draw seemed extremely unlikely. But Simon Milenko and Cameron Stevenson tested the limits of the Queensland bowling attack, putting on a partnership of 83 in 23.4 overs. It was eventually broken in the last 75 minutes of play with a run-out from Jack Wildermuth, who then capped things off by taking the final wicket and sealing the Bulls' win by 133 runs.

As is often the case when Nos. 8 and 10 make the headlines, the top order did not have a good day. Resuming on 0 for 10 on the final morning, Tasmania lost their first wicket in the seventh over of the day and didn't stop there. The offspin of Jason Floros (3-72) along with accurate seam bowling from Michael Neser (2-41), Mark Steketee (14-5-23-1) pushed the score to 3 for 52 then 6 for 98 and finally 8 for 114. With things seemingly dire, Milenko added a career-best 68 with 10 fours and a six and found excellent support from Stevenson, whose average prior to this match was 5.50. He pushed that to 13.20 with an innings of 42 off 81 balls with five fours and a six.

Despite the rearguard, the good work Queensland had done early in the game, which included a total of 405 in the first innings, gave them just enough cushion to secure their third win in six matches, the same as second-placed South Australia. They had to wait until the 71st over to breathe easier again, as Wildermuth ran out Cameron and then bowled the last-man standing, Milenko, in the 74th.