RICKY Ponting was unable to inspire Tasmania to back-to-back Sheffield Shield titles as they lost a thrilling final to Queensland by three wickets at the Gabba. The Bulls survived a stunning collapse to eventually reel in the modest target of 133 they needed to win Australia’s four-day title for the seventh time. (Scores    Queensland 276 and 7 for 133 (Townsend 36, Faulkner 3-27) beat Tasmania 241 and 167 (Cowan 71, Hopes 5-61, Harris 3-52) by 3 wickets.
Queensland had looked to be coasting at 67 for one but their batsmen threatened to throw victory away when, after at one stage losing four for none, they crashed to 88 for seven.
Chris Hartley and Steve Magoffin recovered the situation in a unbeaten 45-run stand to deny Tasmania consecutive titles for the first time in their history.
The Tigers had been boosted by the inclusion of Ponting, overlooked for Australia’s on-going one-day international series in the West Indies, but the skipper could only manage scores of one and six.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Hartley earned man-of-the-match honours after his superb 111 helped set up a first-innings lead that proved crucial for a Queensland side boasting Australia international Ryan Harris.
Alister McDermott, the son of former Australia quick and current bowling coach Craig, also impressed with six for 54 in the first innings including the wicket of Ponting.
Queenland’s success was only soured after coach, and former Yorkshire batsman, Darren Lehmann was fined £1 340 after he confronted the umpires after they ended play early due to bad light on Sunday. (PA Sport)