Dukes ball aids Qld in Shield win over Tas

Tasmania captain George Bailey says using the Dukes ball is a good thing despite his side's hefty loss against new Shield leaders Queensland.

Queensland celebrate wicket against Tasmania

Queensland are at the top of the Sheffield Shield standings after beating Tasmania at the Gabba. (AAP)

Queensland have eased past Tasmania in little more than three days at the Gabba to go top on the Sheffield Shield ladder, but defeated Tigers captain George Bailey remains a fan of the Dukes ball, which aided the home side's cause.

Queensland mopped up Tasmania's last remaining resistance early on day four for an oddly large 206-run win despite neither side scoring more than 300 in the match.

Tasmania were dismissed for 219 after resuming on Sunday facing a hopeless task at 6-208 and with injured bowlers Jackson Bird and Gabe Bell unable to bat.

Bird has undertaken two inconclusive scans in Brisbane and will go to Melbourne for further testing before a decision is made on his fitness for Australia's four-Test tour of South Africa.

Bell's season is over after confirmation of a broken bone in his foot.

Queensland's bowlers made the most of the Dukes ball, dismissing Tasmania for just 115 in the first innings.

The English Dukes ball has again been introduced for the second half of the Shield season, ostensibly to help prepare Australian players prepare for next year's Ashes series in England.

Bailey says using the ball is good because it eliminates large-scoring draws.

However, the experienced Tassie skipper said Australian conditions were vastly different from those in England, regardless of which ball is used.

"If the argument is to get us prepared for England, I don't think that is the case," Bailey said.

"The Dukes ball poses some challenges here but if you look at the guys that scored runs here, they had very good defensive techniques and picked their balls to score.

"Matt Renshaw looked good in both innings, he leaves the ball well and has a good defence.

"Jake Doran made batting look easy, Jimmy Peirson batted beautifully, so there are runs to be had. You just have to apply yourself.

"The thing about the Dukes ball is that you are never completely in and it continues to swing, which is quite good."

Queensland have a 2.99-point lead at the top of the Shield ladder over second-placed NSW with four matches remaining.

Acting Queensland skipper Jimmy Peirson said his side we well prepared for the resumption of four-day cricket.

"(Not making the Big Bash finals) gave us the chance to prepare for this game at least better than Tassie," Peirson said.

"We were prepared well for the Dukes ball and we pride ourselves on our playing ability at the Gabba."


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Source: AAP



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