Sheffield Shield, Tasmania v Queensland, day one: Wade’s knock puts Tigers on top

STUMPS REPORT: Tasmania’s captain courageous Matthew Wade heaped more pressure on Australian selectors with a potentially match-saving Sheffield Shield half-century.

George Bailey switched from defensive to attack mode late in the opening session. Pictures: AAP/Rob Blakers

STUMPS REPORT: TASMANIA’S captain courageous Matthew Wade heaped more pressure on Australian selectors on Friday with a potentially match-saving Sheffield Shield half-century against Queensland at Blundstone Arena.

The Tigers were 4-21 when Wade joined George Bailey in the middle, and by the time he had defiantly withstood the Bulls’ onslaught and then launched his attack, Wade compiled a critical 63 runs off 106 deliveries and had smacked nine boundaries.

It boosted Tasmania to 167 off 55.4 overs — its third-lowest score of the season behind 81 at Blundstone against Victoria in Round 4 and 132 at the Gabba in Round 1.

Queensland was even more disappointing, limping to 8-86 at stumps to trail by 81, thanks mainly to Tigers rookie medium-pacer Alex Pyecroft’s career-defining 5-18.

Matthew Wade scored another half century to help rescue the Tigers’ innings.

On a day when 18 wickets fell, the scores of 13 batsmen did not add up to better Wade’s effort, putting into perspective his heroic knock that puts him into the Test selection spotlight.

“I would have liked to have gotten a few more — I thought I probably left 20 out there,” Wade said. “But it was nice to get among the runs.”

Wade was delighted with the turnaround in Tasmania’s fortunes on a rollercoaster day of cricket.

“I was disappointed in the way we batted, but the response from the bowlers was good,” Wade said.

“Pykey got us going with a few wickets and we reeled it right back.

“The last hour and a half was as good as we’ve bowled all year.

“We didn’t have a great day for six hours but we found a way to get it done.”

Tigers players celebrate another Queensland wicket.

Queensland had Tasmania on the ropes immediately when opener Alex Doolan fell for a six-ball duck in the second over. At lunch, Tasmania was 4-60 off 26 overs, Bailey unbeaten on 25 and Wade on 13.

Wade played freely in the afternoon session, playing some glorious strokes that should draw the attention of national selectors.

Pyecroft is set to make his mark in shield cricket.

“The length he bowls suits this wicket perfectly — he got the ball up there and gave it the chance to move sideways and he got the rewards today,” Wade said.

TEA UPDATE: A MATTHEW Wade half-century saved Tasmania from complete disaster on the opening day of its Sheffield Shield match against Queensland at Blundstone Arena.

The Tigers were 4-21 when Wade joined George Bailey in the middle and, as he waved goodbye to four more teammates, the gritty left-hander boosted Tasmania to 9-130 before he miss-cued a haymaker.

Wade departed for 63 runs off 106 balls, including nine sweetly timed boundaries.

Tailenders Gabe Bell (22 runs and five fours) and Riley Meredith (13) put on a cheeky and entertaining 37-run stand for the final wicket, as the Tigers ended with 167 off 55.4 overs.

It was Tasmania’s third-lowest score of the season, behind the 81 at Blundstone against Victoria in round four and 132 at the Gabba in round one.

LUNCH UPDATE: TASMANIA’S bid for a spot in the Sheffield Shield’s top three started with a batting collapse against Queensland at Blundstone Arena.

The Queenslanders sit below the Tigers on the table but belied that position by snaring four Tiger scalps in the first session.

The Bulls had Tasmania on the back foot immediately when opener Alex Doolan fell for a six-ball duck in the second over.

That put the home batters into their shell, and the going was slow as Tasmania wilted to be 4-21 off 16.3 overs of pressure from the visitors – also losing Ben McDermott (1) and Jake Doran (0).

Jake Doran is bowled for a duck.

Opener Jordan Silk weathered 49 balls for his 13 runs but was tricked by a Jack Wildermuth off-cutter that he feathered to keeper Jimmy Peirson.

Late in the opening session George Bailey switched from defensive batting to calculated aggression, at one stage smacking Bulls pace spearhead Michael Neser for three boundaries in the same over just before lunch.

At the first break, Tasmania was 4-60 off 26 overs.

Bailey was unbeaten on 25 (48 balls, four boundaries) and left-hander Matthew Wade not out 13 (31 balls, one boundary).

Neser (2-23) was the best of the Bulls bowlers.

Michael Neser, centre, is congratulated by his teammates after taking another wicket.