Di Venuto anchors Tasmania's slow reply

Tasmania 3 for 170 (Di Venuto 67*, Watson 53) trail Queensland 8 for 400 dec (Love 100, Law 99, Noffke 46) by 230 runs
Scorecard

Tasmania were tediously slow in their reply to Queensland's 8 for 400 declared on the second day of their Pura Cup match at the Bellerive Oval today. They closed on 3 for 170 from 71 overs, with Michael Di Venuto unbeaten on 67.

The last wicket to fall was that of Shane Watson, who was caught behind by Wade Seccombe for 53 off Joe Dawes. Watson shared a 93-run stand with Di Venuto, but the pair added only 31 runs in the first agonising hour after tea. Tasmania took 241 minutes and 366 balls in all to reach 150.

Di Venuto, who scored an unbeaten 174 to shepherd Tasmania to an upset against New South Wales at Bellerive last November, was making his first appearance at the crease since suffering a broken finger from a Brett Lee thunderbolt at the SCG last month.

Jimmy Maher, Queensland's captain, said he was surprised by Tasmania's go-slow approach. "We put on 111 in about 25 overs," he said, referring to Queensland's performance earlier in the day.

"There's nothing in that wicket at all. It's very flat, it's dead," he added. "If Tasmania want to bat that slowly continually... then good luck to them. I still think there can be six points out of this game, I suppose the onus is on them. Our seven, eight, nine and ten scored at five and over this morning with a new ball - that pretty much says it all, doesn't it?"

Dan Marsh, Tasmania's captain, responded by saying that he was not concerned about what Maher thought, and that Tasmania were still eyeing outright victory. "I guess both teams are in with a chance after two days," he said. "It was hard work, but we weren't going to give our wickets away. Forty runs more would have been nice, but we are still well and truly in the game."

Tasmania's first casualty of the day was opener Jamie Cox, who was caught at second slip by Stuart Law for 14 off Michael Kasprowicz. Scott Mason followed for 30 after he was caught behind by Seccombe off Dawes.

Queensland declared at 8 for 400, half an hour before lunch after starting the day on 6 for 289. Nathan Hauritz was unbeaten on 20 with Kasprowicz on 40, their partnership adding 58 runs off 48 balls.