A rapid-fire 94 from veteran allrounder James Hopes has tipped the balance towards Queensland in an otherwise tight day-night Sheffield Shield contest against Tasmania in Brisbane.
Queensland finished the day at 7-343, boasting a lead of 43 over the bottom-placed visitors.
The Bulls ascendancy was largely down to the efforts of Hopes who blazed an unexpected 94 off 60 balls and Chris Hartley (47 not out), as the pair shared a sparkling seventh-wicket partnership of 128.
However, Queensland stumbled early and were 2-36 in their pursuit of Tasmania's 300.
Opener Marnus Labuschagne compiled a laborious 43 off 127 balls, but Hopes proved there was no demons to be found in either the Gabba pitch or the pink ball.
Rookie middle-order batsman Sam Heazlett continued his fine recent form for the Bulls with a handy 56.
Hamish Kingston (2-84), Andrew Fekete (2-76) and Beau Webster (2-38) shared the wickets, but the former pair suffered heavily as Hopes wielded the willow.
Tasmania, who started the day at 9-269, wagged the tail to reach a first innings total of 300.
Sam Rainbird hit a well-compiled 39, while No.11 Andrew Fekete chipped in with 14 not out to frustrate the local bowling attack.
A win for Queensland, who were fifth just a fortnight ago, would likely see them leap into second spot behind runaway leaders Victoria.
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