Bulls in need of Shield miracle

Miracle ... Peter Forrest was one of the few Queensland batsmen to succeed. Source: Luke Bowden / News Limited

Queensland will need a miracle if they're to have any chance of defending their Sheffield Shield title after crashing to 7-185 at stumps on day three of the final at Bellerive.

SHEF - Blundstone Arena

22 March 2013 - Day 3, Session 3

Queensland 1st Innings

J. Hopes	23	56	0	0	41.07
N. Hauritz	0	1	0	0	0
E. Gulbis	15.4	4	39	3	2.49

The Bulls were still 234 behind the home side's first innings of 419 as their batsmen misfired on a rain-disrupted day.

Only Peter Forrest (56) and wicketkeeper Chris Hartley (36) looked like building substantial innings, but a slow Bellerive pitch meant they struggled to gather any of the momentum their side needed.

Skipper James Hopes (23no) and Nathan Hauritz (0no) will resume in what looks increasingly like a lost cause, with only a win being enough for the Bulls.

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Tasmania's attack stayed patient, dead-pitch specialist Evan Gulbis bagging 3-39, while a disastrous runout late on Sunday added to the visitors' woes.

More than two hours were lost because of rain, despite bright sunshine for most of that time.

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Players left the ground at 11.50am (AEDT) as a short but heavy shower hit Bellerive after only 14.1 overs had been bowled in the morning session.

But an apparent delay in covering the pitch meant it became wet and umpires weren't satisfied the ground was safe until 2.25pm.

"You could see the weather coming in for a couple of overs before that,'' Forrest said.

"A few of the boys said the world was going to end out there, it looked that dark and we were still trying to play cricket in it.

"I think the umpires probably should have had us off a bit earlier than that.''

It wasn't the only setback for Queensland after Joe Burns (6) was dismissed controversially.

The rising star was out to a superb low-diving effort from Tigers keeper Tim Paine, but commentators questioned whether the ball had carried and replays were inconclusive.

"If he has a look and it does show that it's bounced I'm sure that he'll obviously apologise,'' Forrest said.

"I don't think that's the way he plays the game.''

Forrest said the Bulls had not given up on the unlikely victory they need for back-to-back titles.

"I'd like to back our bowlers on that wicket with the ball going up and down to try and bowl them out and hopefully have a run chase on the last day,'' he said.

Burns' loss left the visitors 4-81 after they had resumed at 1-12 and needing to force the pace of the match.

Opener Luke Pomersbach (17) and Forrest had put on 46 before Pomersbach was bowled by Luke Butterworth (1-30), and it was 3-70 when Nathan Reardon (13) prodded at a good length delivery from Gulbis.

Australian one-day representative Forrest took 172 balls for his 56 and the Bulls were left 5-128 when he was trapped in front by Gulbis.

A sluggish attempt at a single by Hartley resulted in him being run out at 6-163 as the lights began to take effect late in the day before Gulbis had Michael Neser caught behind.

The Tigers need only a draw to claim their third title and a first state trophy for champion Ricky Ponting.

Gulbis said the Tigers were chasing victory, despite what the critics said.

"We're trying to win the game just as much as they are,'' he said.

"It makes the last two days a lot longer so it means more can happen when the wicket's probably going to be at its worst.''

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