Bulls eye victory as Tigers battle
Alex Doolan's maiden first-class half-century is unlikely to save Tasmania from defeat at the Gabba, where Ben Cutting's three wickets put Queensland within sight of victory at stumps on the third day
Cricinfo staff
03-Nov-2009
Alex Doolan's maiden first-class half-century is unlikely to save Tasmania from defeat at the Gabba, where Ben Cutting's three wickets put Queensland within sight of victory at stumps on the third day. At stumps, the Tigers were 6 for 209 and still trailing by 17 runs, with Daniel Marsh on 40 and Brett Geeves on 16.
However, the visitors were going to require some individual brilliance on the final day to save the match after Queensland's bowlers again proved a handful in their home conditions. The key breakthrough came just before tea, when Doolan (59) hooked Cutting and was caught on the boundary.
It was an unfortunate lapse in concentration from Doolan, who had batted for more than three hours and had helped his captain George Bailey provide some fight. When Bailey departed shortly after tea for 25, caught behind off Daniel Doran, the Bulls sensed an opportunity.
Cutting followed with two more breakthroughs and finished the day with 3 for 33, and Tasmania will need their former skipper Marsh to bat for as long as possible on the fourth day to have any hope of survival. Queensland started the day still at the crease but lost their final wicket, Chris Swan for 82, from the first ball of the morning.