Peirson's big Shield final shoes to fill

Queensland captain Jimmy Peirson is full of reflection as he prepares to lead the Bulls into the Sheffield Shield final against Tasmania at Allan Border Field.

A file image of Queensland batsman Jimmy Peirson playing a shot.

Queensland's Jimmy Peirson will lead the Bulls into the Sheffield Shield final against Tasmania. (AAP)

A classic fighting hundred from Queensland wicketkeeper Chris Hartley set up the Bulls' last Sheffield Shield title six years ago and remains burnt into the memory of his replacement Jimmy Peirson.

With just 15 first-class games under his belt, Peirson has barely settled into the retired glovesman's spot behind the stumps.

And yet he finds himself leading a young Queensland side into a home Shield final from Friday at Allan Border Field.

Peirson was a Bulls rookie when the side last won in 2012 and admitted he couldn't stop thinking about that victory, which also came against this year's opponents Tasmania.

Hartley entered at 5-55 in the first innings at the Gabba and walked off with 111 to his name in a knock that kept them on level terms with the Ricky Ponting-led Tigers.

The gritty left-hander was at it again in the second innings, his unbeaten 19 rescuing the Bulls from 7-88 in their chase of 133 runs for victory.

Peirson's men have engineered similar backs-to-the-wall wins this season for the unfancied Bulls, most recently last week against NSW.

The 25-year-old hopes that character shines through against George Bailey's Tigers, as the Bulls chase an eighth Shield title under what is forecast to be grey skies.

"It was a real Queensland win; we came from behind and probably had no right to win that game but, like Queensland teams do, we found a way to win it," Peirson reflected.

"That's in the back of my mind right now and the way we want to play our cricket in this game.

"We are very proud of what we've achieved in the past ... and we want to try and make our own history now."

A draw will be enough for Queensland to lift the Shield, but both captains predict a result will come before stumps on the fifth day given the Dukes ball's habit of swinging for longer periods.

Either Mark Steketee or Brendan Doggett is likely to make way for returning Queensland quick Luke Feldman for the decider, with Peirson yet to confirm his final 11.


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Source: AAP



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