Silk century has Tasmania in charge

A Jordan Silk century and a late scalp have Tasmania in the box seat heading into the final day of their JLT Sheffield Shield clash against South Australia.

Silk's sixth first-class ton of 113 was the anchor as the Tigers posted 8-353 (dec) at Bellerive Oval on Thursday.

Test captain Tim Paine finished unbeaten on 47 for Tasmania in his final hit-out before the four-match series opener against India on December 6.

Needing 403 to win, the Redbacks were 1-16 at stumps after Jackson Bird trapped Jake Weatherald for a duck in the final hour of play.

But the day belonged to to Silk, who shared a 93-run stand with veteran George Bailey (63).

The pair almost batted through the morning session after resuming at 3-120 but Bailey was trapped in front by Joe Mennie (2-70) on the last ball before lunch.

It was a welcome return to runs for Bailey, who handed the Shield captaincy to Matthew Wade last week to focus on his ailing batting that had yielded just 45 runs from four matches this season.

On return from national limited-overs duty Ben McDermott hit eight boundaries in his 54 batting at No.3.

Redbacks paceman Daniel Worrall finished with 3-83 to go with four first-innings wickets.

Wade (43) top scored in the Tigers' 185 on day one.

Tigers rookie quick Gabe Bell (4-29) and debutant Alex Pyecroft (3-36) then routed South Australia for 136 on day two.

Test incumbent Travis Head played a lone hand with 49 for the Redbacks and appears highly likely to get another chance with the bat on Friday to emphasise his credentials.

Conor McInerney (11) and Callum Ferguson (five) will resume at the crease on the final day for SA.

Tasmania XI: Alex Doolan, Jordan Silk, Ben McDermott, Jake Doran, George Bailey, Matthew Wade (c), Tim Paine, Alex Pyecroft, Jackson Bird, Gabe Bell, Riley Meredith

SA XI: Jake Weatherald, Conor McInerney, Callum Ferguson, Travis Head (c), Jake Lehmann, Tom Cooper, Alex Carey, Joe Mennie, Nick Winter, Kane Richardson, Daniel Worrall