With one hand already on the Sheffield Shield, Tasmania say they won’t be satisfied with a draw after setting Queensland a virtually impossible task in the final at Bellerive.
Tim Paine and James Faulkner put the Tigers back in the box seat for the title after a Ryan Harris wrecking job had given Queensland a glimmer of hope.
Paine (87) and Faulkner (83no) put on 161 for the seventh wicket to rescue the home side from a nerve-wracking 5-15 after Harris had demolished the home side’s top order in a 5.3 over blitz of 4-6.
Tasmania were 7-240 in their second innings at stumps on day four, a lead of 434, ensuring the Bulls will need to make the highest ever fourth-innings winning total in a Shield final to defend their title.
“It probably does (feel like it’s won) a little bit,” Paine said.
“We’re still looking to come tomorrow and make sure we get it and win it.
“We don’t want to draw this game.
“The wicket’s wearing and getting lower and lower and I think our attack will be really challenging to play tomorrow afternoon.”
Wicketkeeper Paine notched his first half-century of a tough Shield campaign in his most important match.
The 28-year-old endured the best part of two seasons out of the game, which included two finals, as he underwent six operations on a fractured finger.
“Today was really pleasing to be the guy, along with James, that pulled us out of a bit of trouble,” he said.
“I can’t wait to come tomorrow and look to take these 10 wickets and lift that trophy.
“It will be a great thrill after a really hard two years.”
Needing only a draw, Tasmania had been in a seemingly impregnable position for most of the first three days.
But they were ambushed by former Test paceman Harris and lost 4-1 in 13 balls – including Ricky Ponting lbw for one when he shouldered arms.
“I still thought a lead of around 200 when we bowled them out for 225 (in the first innings) when the wicket was pretty good, I was trying to stay really positive,” Paine said.
Bulls assistant Martin Love vowed his side would make the Tigers work hard on the final day.
“I think now we’re well and truly out of the game,” he admitted.
Ponting’s innings could have been his last in Australia as he decides whether to play on with Tasmania in 2013-14.
But the champion’s first piece of silverware with his state side now looks assured, a factor likely to come into his decision.