Queensland open up contest after Street and Peirson centuries

Queenslanders Bryce Street and Jimmy Peirson struck centuries before a bullish declaration sought to breathe life into their Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania.

Street's 143 and Peirson's unbeaten 106 highlighted Queensland's 5 for 355 dec in reply to Tasmania's first innings of 6 for 500. The Bulls declared 145 runs behind an hour after tea on Saturday's third day of play, with the Tigers moving to 1 for 59 at stumps, a lead of 204.

"For the declaration that we gave them, I would hope that they give us a chance to have a result," Street said. "It would have been easy for us to keep batting and get a lead...but this is probably the best way that a result is going to happen. The ball is in their court."

Queensland's declaration on a placid pitch at Karen Rolton Oval came after Street compiled his fourth first-class century - and highest score at the level - featuring 14 fours and three sixes from 334 balls. And Peirson added some timely acceleration, hitting 13 fours in his unbeaten 168-ball knock.

The pair combined for a 162-run partnership, steadying Queensland after they slipped to 4 for 172. Street lost two partners in the opening session - captain Usman Khawaja and Matt Renshaw.

"You lose another one or two wickets there, you're really starting to look at a monstrous deficit and following on," Street said. "To be able to score somewhat quickish, to keep pushing the game forward and try to keep getting a result...it worked in our benefit."

Khawaja made 20 before edging a wide leg-side ball from Sam Rainbird and being superbly caught by wicketkeeper Ben McDermott, diving low to his right to complete a one-hander. Renshaw hit 11 and was trapped leg before to spinner Jarrod Freeman after the left-hander tried to turn a fullish ball to the leg-side but missed.