Queensland edge ahead on 18-wicket day

Queensland 9 for 174 (Hartley 45*, Tremain 3-30, Stoinis 3-31) and 190 lead Victoria 147 (Boland 33, Wildermuth 4-27, George 3-39) by 217 runs
Scorecard

Chris Hartley stroked four fours and one six during his unbeaten 45 off 67 balls © Getty Images

Resistance from the lower order of Victoria and then Queensland set up the prospect of a tantalising fourth-innings chase, after two days of a tense and low-scoring Sheffield Shield affair at the Gabba.

Victoria collapsed to 7 for 85 in response to Queeland’s 190 before Chris Tremain, Scott Boland and Fawad Ahmed all made pesky runs to close the first-innings gap between the sides. James Hopes, Mark Steketee, Peter George and Jack Wildermuth shared the wickets, but would have been disappointed to let the visitors climb off the mat.

As if to maintain their momentum, Tremain and Boland were then instrumental in in reducing the Bulls to 8 for 114 and a lead of only 157 on a pitch that was beginning to lose some of its earlier moisture.

However, the hosts’ wicketkeeper and captain Chris Hartley formed a vital union with the leg spinner Mitch Swepson, the pair adding a brisk 57 to broaden Queelsland’s lead.

Swepson’s busy innings was ended by Boland shortly before stumps, but last man Peter George survived to the close and will hope to help Hartley add more runs when play resumes.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.


Source: ESPN Crickinfo

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