Tasmania grab early wickets after gaining lead

Queensland 196 and 3 for 54 (Hopes 40*) trail Tasmania 334 (Di Venuto 88, Geeves 65, Bichel 4 for 107) by 84 runs
Scorecard

Tasmania were in the driver's seat at the end of the second day of the Pura Cup match against Queensland at Brisbane. Half-centuries by Travis Birt, Brett Geeves and Michael Di Venuto helped the Tigers gain a first-innings lead of 138 before their opening bowlers, Adam Griffith and Ben Hilfenhaus, rattled the top order to leave the home side at 3 for 54, still trailing by 84.

Resuming at 1 for 70, Di Venuto and Birt added 72 for the third wicket to take them closer to Queensland's total of 196. Di Venuto fell 12 runs short of his century, caught by Martin Love off Nathan Rimmington, and his dismissal sparked a middle-order collapse.

After being reduced to 6 for 214, Tasmania regained control through Birt and Geeves, who added 57 for the seventh wicket. Geeves struck 12 boundaries in his entertaining 65 off 77 balls but was lucky to be let off on 38 when Andy Bichel spilled a sharp return chance. Birt also made 65 and played a more sedate knock.

Dismissed for 334, the Tasmanian opening bowlers soon had Queensland reeling after picking up three wickets for five runs. Matthew Hayden was forced to drop down the order due to an injured finger, and his absence was felt as Griffith accounted for Martin Love and Jimmy Maher in successive overs.

Love chased a wide delivery outside off stump, edging to Daniel Marsh at first slip, and in the next over Hilfenhaus got the crucial wicket of Clinton Perren, who was caught behind first ball. James Hopes reached 40 by stumps and was being assisted by Lachlan Stevens.