A sporting declaration from Tasmania captain Tim Paine has set up an intriguing final day in the Sheffield Shield cricket match against NSW at Bankstown Oval.
Paine declared at 8-298 at tea on Friday, handing NSW a 144-run first-innings advantage with four sessions remaining.
When bad light ended play prematurely for a third straight day, NSW were 3-77, an overall lead of 221.
Nic Maddinson (34) and Steve Smith (16) will resume for NSW on Saturday, when some rain is forecast.
Paine’s attacking move paid instant dividends as Peter Nevill (0) was lbw to the first ball of the innings bowled by Luke Butterworth (1-8).
Fellow opener Scott Henry (3) also fell for a second single-digit score in the game, caught behind off Jackson Bird (1-20) with the total on ten.
NSW captain Michael Clarke (22) looked dangerous in his 21-ball cameo.
He struck four fours before he was caught by wicketkeeper Paine, who dived forward to complete the dismissal of the first ball bowled by James Faulkner (1-8).
Allrounder Butterworth spearheaded Tasmania’s revival from 5-123 with a unbeaten 65.
Three stubborn partnerships helped avoid any risk of being asked to follow on after a difficult morning session in which they lost 3-69.
NSW took control after dismissing Aiden Blizzard (7) and Mark Cosgrove'(84) in successive overs.
Paine (23) and Faulkner (28) started the fightback with a 31-run, sixth-wicket stand before lunch.
Butterworth then added 40 with James Faulkner (28) and 88 with Jason Krejza (48).
The Tigers were more enterprising in the middle session, adding 118, with Butterworth and Krejza both playing some fine attacking shots.