Thumping Shield win for Qld over Tas

Skipper James Hopes predicted Queensland would finish the Sheffield Shield season strongly, but has described their thrashing of Tasmania as a bonus.

Queensland cricketers

A drying pitch has Queensland wary going into day two of their Sheffield Shield match with Tasmania. (AAP)

Queensland skipper James Hopes always forecast a strong home run for his team in the Sheffield Shield season but even he is surprised by the Bulls' latest victory.

It took them just two days to beat Tasmania by an innings and 50 runs at Bellerive Oval.

"It's good to get a win, surprised at how quickly it happened, but good to get the result," Hopes said after play of the scheduled four-day fixture.

Tasmania sank even lower than their lacklustre first innings total of 149, producing an abysmal 121 on Tuesday.

Hopes (4-24) spearheaded Queensland's attack on Monday and then turned around to make 98 off 79 with the bat on Tuesday, helping the visitors post 320.

Medium-pacer Simon Milenko (5-15) led the Bulls' charge against Tasmania's second innings in which the top order again collapsed.

Opener and former Test batsman Ed Cowan had the dishonour of recording a pair.

He was out lbw in Tassie's second over on Tuesday from a Mark Steketee (4-33) delivery.

Fellow opener Jordan Silk (12) was the next to fall, bowled by Milenko.

Tigers skipper Alex Doolan (15) and Ben Dunk (0) followed in quick succession and Beau Webster's (17) dismissal left the home side to rely on their middle and lower order.

Tim Paine (41) piled on a few runs including six boundaries but his dismissal, bowled by Milenko, sparked Tassie's downfall.

Doolan blamed the Tigers' top order which has suffered chronic failures throughout the season and in previous years.

"We have lapses in concentration that cost us our wicket and the top order is now just putting too much pressure on the middle and lower order to perform," he said.

It's knocked his confidence because as captain and No.3 batsman he has to take some responsibility, he admitted.

"It kicks you in the guts a bit, especially when you're coming out on a good cricket wicket against a little bit of an inexperienced bowling attack, you're expecting to get runs."

Queensland had no problem scoring on the Bellerive pitch, with half centuries going to openers Charlie Hemphrey (58) and Joe Burns (68) in addition to Hopes' performance.

On his first-class debut and batting at No.10 Steketee added a handy 34 runs in addition to his contribution to the bowling attack.

Queensland now look to the next round for a rematch with Victoria who they beat on home soil last week by an innings and 13 runs.

"We're normally a team that comes home pretty strong," Hopes said, adding that the side has been favoured by three home games among the final five for the season.

"This (win) is a bit of a bonus - we haven't played well down here the past few years."


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Source: AAP


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