PAINE OF DEFEAT

Tame Tigers belted by Qld in three days

TEST skipper Tim Paine (left) fought his way to a second-innings half-century yesterday, but it didn’t stop Queensland romping to an easy 10-wicket victory in the Sheffield Shield match at the Gabba. The Tigers were never going to recover from being bowled out for just 78 in their first innings, and, though they reached 236 in their second dig, it was too late.

TEST opener Joe Burns has wasted no time in steering Queensland to a 10-wicket Sheffield Shield win over Tasmania on day three after the visitors had finally showed some resistance with the bat yesterday.

Chasing only 58 runs for victory, the Bulls reached the target in just 10 overs at the Gabba, as Burns thrashed an unbeaten 46 off 35 balls with six fours and one six.

Queensland leapfrogged Western Australia to second spot with its fourth victory of the shield season, which resumed after the Big Bash League.

But Tasmania is in danger of slipping to the bottom of the ladder with Victoria on target for a win over NSW.

The Bulls were set the paltry target after eventually ending the Tigers’ rearguard effort with the bat, bowling the visitors out for 236 in their second dig on the stroke of tea.

Beau Webster was the last man to fall, bowled by Cameron Gannon for a 57-ball 50 with one four and two sixes.

It was a gutsy fightback by the Tigers who were reeling on Saturday at 3-0. Ben McDermott survived a hat-trick ball from Michael Neser on day two to launch the recovery, finally falling for 69 in yesterday’s middle session.

It ended a 53-run sixthwicket stand with Test and Tigers skipper Tim Paine after only one wicket fell in yesterday’s morning session.

The Australian captain tried to press on and post a competitive target after the Bulls ended McDermott’s 189ball knock, which featured nine boundaries.

However, he was caught behind off Test hopeful Neser (3-48) for 61 in the middle session as the Bulls closed in on victory.

Besides Neser, who finished with seven wickets for the match, Mark Steketee (3-62) and Jack Wildermuth (2-40) also impressed with the ball in the second innings.

Tasmania resumed yesterday at 4-72. The Bulls were in command after routing Tasmania for 78 in their first dig — their third-lowest shield total — before Usman Khawaja’s patient 56 and a wagging tail led the hosts to 257 in reply.

“We got off to a really bad start. It’s a long way back after being bowled out for 78,” Paine said. “It’s a difficult place to play. And it was a bloody good toss to win — let’s not hide away from that.

“But Queensland are a high-quality first-class team and we will take a lot from it.”