Khawaja's first-class career ends as Queensland miss Sheffield Shield final

Incumbent Test opener Jake Weatherlad struck a rapid half-century after Tasmania's top order wobbled

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff

Published: Mar 15, 2026, 8:09 AM (1 hr ago)

Tasmania 198 & 153 for 5 (Weatherald 62, Silk 49*) lead Queensland 178 (Hearne 48, Neil-Smith 4-49, Kuhnemann 3-14) by 153 runs

Usman Khawaja's hopes of ending his Queensland career with another Sheffield Shield trophy are over after they failed to withstand Tasmania's sharp bowling.

Queensland went into day two of their clash at Bellerive Oval on Sunday needing a big total after slumping to 48 for 3 on day one.

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But chasing Tasmania's 198 to claim first-innings points, Queensland were knocked over for just 178, while the second-placed South Australia made 305 runs and claimed five wickets against Victoria.

The competition rewards bonus points to teams that score more than 200 runs, and for every wicket a side takes during the first 100 overs of the first innings, respectively.

South Australia's efforts and Queensland's batting capitulation means the Bulls can no longer make up the points difference needed, even if they win outright.

It also denies retired Test opener Khawaja a final game for Queensland after the 39-year-old confirmed he would hang up his boots from first-class cricket at the end of the season. Khawaja isn't playing this round as he awaits the birth of his third child.

On Sunday, Jack Clayton and Lachlan Hearne provided a glimmer of hope for Queensland with a 49-run partnership, but after Clayton fell they lost 5 for 70.

Having taken the prized scalps of Hugo Burden and Marnus Labuschagne on the opening day, Lawrence Neil-Smith shone with the ball again, grabbing both Clayton and Hearne.

Australia spinner Matt Kuhnemann took 3 for 14, including a classy caught-and-bowled to dismiss Hayden Kerr for a duck.

The home side got off to a rocky start, with Xavier Bartlett and Michael Neser reducing Tasmania to 10 for 3, after the loss of Caleb Jewell, Tim Ward and Charlie Wakim.

Test opener Jake Weatherald settled the Tasmania's nerves, crunching 62 off 57 balls, before Jordan Silk chipped in with an unbeaten 49 off 122 deliveries.

Weatherald, who made 95 in the previous round against NSW, missed the chance for a century before the off-season when he top-edged a cut against Hayden Kerr, who had been subbed into the match as an injury replacement for Tom Balkin.

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