Tasmania on track for first Shield win

Tasmania are well placed to earn their first JLT Sheffield Shield win of the season after a dogged performance on day three kept the West End Redbacks on the back foot at Adelaide Oval.

Set an imposing 386 to win, South Australia ended the penultimate day at 5-124, still trailing by 261.

Callum Ferguson (46no) remains the Redbacks' best hope of victory after captain Travis Head (31) and Jake Lehmann (17) fell in the final session.

Rookie opening bowler Gabe Bell knocked over SA's two openers, while Sam Rainbird dismissed Head.

Test hopeful Jackson Bird, who claimed 5-30 on Friday, went wicketless throughout his first 11 overs before earning two scalps within three balls.

Bird (2-34) bowled both Lehmann and nightwatchman Joe Mennie in the same over.

Tasmania commenced day three at 2-79 with a lead of 220 and they largely had skipper George Bailey to thank for extending the margin, with the Tigers bowled out for 244.

The Tasmanian captain top-scored with a doughty 86, while opener Jordan Silk (29) was the next best on the scorecard.

It could have been even worse for SA, but Tasmania lost their final five wickets for 52 runs as Kane Richardson (4-30) and legspinner Adam Zampa (3-85) ran through the tail.

Tasmania XI: George Bailey (C), Jordan Silk, Alex Doolan, Jake Doran, Matthew Wade, Ben McDermott,  Beau Webster, Tom Rogers, Sam Rainbird, Gabe Bell, Riley Meredith 

South Australia XI: Travis Head (c), Jake Weatherald, John Dalton, Callum Ferguson, Jake Lehmann, Tom Cooper, Alex Carey, Cameron Valente, Joe Mennie, Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson