Michael Slater's much-touted return from the wilderness gave way to Tasmania's much-touted tilt at a finals berth as the Tigers assumed early command of the Pura Cup match against New South Wales here in Hobart today.

Slater inspired the visitors into producing a strong opening session, but things unravelled badly in the following two as paceman Shane Jurgensen (5/38) and rival captain Jamie Cox (58*) swung into action.

By stumps, the Tasmanians - seeking an outright win that would all but guarantee them a finals berth - were powerfully placed at 1/126 in reply to their opponents' 164.

On a sunny day at the Bellerive Oval, the in-form home team was forced to wait longer than expected for its turn in the limelight as the bravado of Slater (50) and the rigour of opener Matthew Phelps (53) posed considerable annoyance.

Slater's first ball on his return, after axings from both his national and his state team, was helped to the fine leg boundary and his third was smeared to the rope at square leg. He had earlier shown a commendable sense of adventure in deciding that New South Wales would bat first upon winning the toss; now he constructed the innings of a player who looked at ease with the world.

He played and missed at times, survived a big lbw appeal as he padded up at 13, and looped another ball over the head of gully from the shoulder of his bat. Yet his cover driving was as powerful as ever and he was never afraid to launch himself into extravagant strokes.

Significantly, it was almost as soon as a quintessential Slater mixture of cracking attacking strokes and occasionally cracking miscues reached its end nine minutes after lunch that the game tilted dramatically Tasmania's way.

To the accompaniment of the strains of the jackhammers, drills and rivet guns helping to complete the last stages of their home ground's redevelopment, the Tasmanians concluded Slater's comeback innings with a crucial lbw decision. They then unglued the remainder of the New South Wales order with equally violent effect.

Slater wasn't pleased with the decision that terminated his 81-minute stay, backing a pace or two away to the leg side, crossing his legs and placing a hand defiantly on his hip as he stared back in the direction of umpire Gus Jones.

Upon his downfall, his charges looked equally unhappy.

Michael Clarke (7) promptly ballooned a catch into the leg side as he miscued a hook at Gerard Denton (2/41); Phil Jaques (0) was trapped in front of his stumps as David Saker (2/56) cut one back to beat a late-moving defensive stab; and debutant Vaughan Williams (4) edged a Jurgensen delivery to wicketkeeper Sean Clingeleffer as the remains of the Blues' middle order were swept away.

Nine wickets fell as only 67 runs were added in all in a dramatic collapse.

To a ground still categorised by some as the home of run feasts, the Tasmanians had returned with an illustration of what has served as the bread and butter of their recent resurgence.

Jurgensen claimed 4/14 in a defining six-over spell, snaring his first-ever five wicket haul in a first-class innings in the process. Denton was also impressive, working up consistent pace in his comeback to first-class cricket after 16 months out of the arena with a back injury. Saker and Damien Wright (1/22) also chipped in with important wickets, though the latter bowled within himself because of the lingering effects of a thigh injury.

Cox later professed that it was far from the side's best bowling performance of the season, especially on a pitch that offered variable bounce at each end all day.

But, in contextual terms, it looked more than good enough as Tasmania began its reply. New ball bowlers Stuart Clark (1/38) and Don Nash (0/36) were unable to make an early break for the Blues and one of the Tigers' few sizeable opening stands of the season ensued.

Patient defence complemented strong cover driving and cutting from Cox himself in the midst of an invaluable unbeaten half-century.

Though opening partner Scott Mason (41) endured an early struggle and played and missed on more than a fleeting basis at the Blues' pace attack, his career-best score was a tribute to determination.

It was a metaphor for Tasmania's day.

© 2002 CricInfo Ltd