Weary Queensland vowed the Sheffield Shield final was not over after two days in the field against Tasmania all but ended their title defence at Bellerive.
The Tigers were in the driving seat after making 419 in their first innings, having forced the visitors to bowl a massive 173.4 overs and needing only to draw the decider to grab their third Shield title.
Queensland’s tilt at an eighth trophy was slipping away and they were 1-12 at stumps after Ben Hilfenhaus (1-4) bowled opener Greg Moller (0) with the first ball of the innings.
“We’ve done it all year – we’ve won two championships,” paceman Ryan Harris said.
“It’s probably going to be the toughest test but we’re not going to give up.
“We’ll fight until it’s all done.
“If we come off with this one, we probably should go and buy a lottery ticket, I reckon.”
Tasmanian allrounders Luke Butterworth (86) and James Faulkner (46) effectively took the decider away from the Bulls with a superb eighth-wicket partnership of 125 after the match had been in the balance with the home side 7-269.
Butterworth continued his phenomenal record in Shield finals at Bellerive, where he had previously made 66, 106 and 88 in deciders.
“They were starting to feel a bit flat and we thought we could really jump on them there,” the 29-year-old said.
“They have to make the running of the game now so, if we set the right fields and bowl well, I’m sure we’ll create the chances.”
Queensland’s bowlers toiled stoically with skipper James Hopes claiming a stunningly economical 4-71 from 40.4 overs and former Test paceman Harris 3-107 from 40 as he continues his return from months on the sidelines.
“The shoulder’s sore but no drama – it’s just general soreness,” Harris said.
“(I feel) pretty good considering (I bowled) 40 overs so I’m pretty happy with that.”
The Tigers resumed at 2-176 and were 4-252 at lunch after losing Ricky Ponting (35) and Jordan Silk (108).
They lost 3-17 after the break before Butterworth and Faulkner came together.
“We’ve got no choice – we have to force it a bit,” Harris said.
“(The pitch is) up and down but, if we try and hit straight, hopefully it comes off.
“If it doesn’t, we lose.”
Luke Pomersbach will resume on four with Peter Forrest not out eight.
