WILD DAY OF 18 WICKETS

TASMANIA’S captain courageous Matthew Wade heaped more pressure on Australian selectors yesterday 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.

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.”

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.