Tasmanian Tigers suffer humiliating defeat at the hands of Queensland Bulls

Tasmanian Tigers in lock down following resounding defeat at the hands of the Queensland Bulls.

TASMANIA’S heaviest home defeat in the Adam Griffith and Jeff Vaughan era sent the Tigers into lockdown as they dissected the humiliating Sheffield Shield performance against Queensland.

The Bulls wrapped up a 10-wicket victory in the shadows of stumps on day two at Blundstone Arena on Saturday, picking off the 18 runs required to complete the demolition inside six sessions.

The dismal batting display was a throwback to years gone by and the worst since Griffith first took the reins as head coach and the side was routed for 63 against Western Australia – its lowest score in the history of the competition – in the opening round of the 2017-18 campaign.

Only a rearguard 82 from veteran George Bailey in his second last appearance in Tigers colours allowed the hosts to avoid an innings defeat after they trailed by 133 runs heading into their second dig.

Cameron Gannon of the Bulls (2nd left) celebrates taking the ticket of Jake Doran of the Tigers in the Sheffield Shield match between the Tasmanian Tigers and the Queensland Bulls at Blundstone Arena. Picture: AAP IMAGE/DAN PELED

A superb century from Sam Heazlett (135) lifted the Bulls from their overnight total of 4-98 to 240, with the 24-year-old ramming home the advantage after the bowlers dominated the opening day.

Heazlett, who benefited from four dropped catches, made the Tigers pay for their woeful fielding display in cracking 20 boundaries and a six as he registered his highest first class score.

He was finally dismissed on the stroke of lunch when Bailey held a catch at fine leg, and after a rain delay extended the lunch break the Tigers top order was blown apart for the second time in just over 24 hours.

Mark Steketee of the Bulls in action on day two of the Shield match between the Tasmanian Tigers and the Queensland Bulls at Blundstone Arena. Picture: AAP IMAGE/DAN PELED

First innings destroyer Mark Steketee (4-32) again ran rampant to reduce Tasmania to 4-15 in the fifth over, backing up his five wicket haul from Friday.

With wickets tumbling around him Bailey, who will play the last Shield match before Christmas and the Big Bash with the Hurricanes before retiring to join the national selection panel, stood firm and appeared on track for his 25th first class century before Steketee trapped him LBW.

“The bowlers started the job early and got a couple of quick wickets while the ball was seaming around, and we were then able to get off to a decent start,” Heazlett said.

“We took our catches, something Tasmania probably didn’t do too well, they dropped a couple.”

The Tigers did not make any players or coaches available for media post play.