New South Wales 181 and 46 for 3 trails Tasmania 493 (Hope 132, Doran 118, Webster 103) for 266 runs

Responding to NSW’s poor first innings total of 181, Tasmania plundered 493 thanks to three big knocks from the middle order, including Hope’s maiden first-class century.

Tasmania’s 312-run first innings lead looked even more daunting on Sunday after NSW limped into the end of the day at 46 for 3.

Daniel Hughes, who came into the safe hands of Webster at second slip, Blake Macdonald and nightwatchman Jack Nisbet were the batsmen to depart, leaving opener Ryan Hackney and Matthew Gilkes with a huge mountain to climb.

Tasmania had been struggling at 48 for 4 in their first innings on Saturday before the three centurions got them out of trouble on Sunday and set the home team up for victory. In total, his last six wickets added 445 runs.

“Today was a bad day for us,” said NSW coach Greg Shipperd. “There wasn’t enough ball penetration all day. To their credit, Tasmania batted wonderfully well. Unfortunately for us, we haven’t found any rhythm in this game.

“We are in a difficult situation, but we will fight and see what we can contribute in terms of a second innings total and keep the game alive.”

Hope was brutal en route to achieving his first first-class century, smashing 21 boundaries during his unbeaten innings.

“It’s pretty special,” Hope said. “It hasn’t fully sunk in yet. I’m happy I did it for the kids. I think [my aim] It was just batting as normally as possible. Dorsy and Beau had done all the hard work.”

Webster’s century continued an excellent Shield season, in which he now averages 97.40 along with the team claiming 11 wickets and catching slips magnificently.

For the left-handed Doran, his hundred was a fourth in first-class cricket.