An enterprising stand of 204 between Ed Cowan and George Bailey allowed Tasmania to set South Australia 402 for victory on day three of the Sheffield Shield match in Hobart.

After Ben Hilfenhaus' four wickets had rounded the Redbacks up for 260 in their first innings, opening batsman Cowan and his captain Bailey compiled centuries to leave SA with a steep chase. the visitors reached 0- for 14 in six overs to the close.

Cowan's century was his first in the Shield this summer, while Bailey's was his second, providing Tasmania with a chance to claim a first set of outright points for the season having won the competition in 2010-11.

SA had never looked likely to challenge Tasmania's first innings 361, though Aaron O'Brien's determined 51 ensured the tail did not melt away without a little resistance.