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  • Writer's pictureSportFM

WA and Tasmania settle for stalemate



A target of 307 in 60 overs wasn't enough to interest Tasmania on the final day of the Sheffield match against Western Australia at Gladys Elphick Park in Adelaide, the teams settling for a draw and share of the points after four days of cricket.


WA resumed at 0-232 leading by 130 runs, Cameron Bancroft and Sam Whiteman undefeated on centuries compiled on the third afternoon.


Both fell in the space of three balls early on the final morning, Whiteman caught behind off Jackson Bird for 118 and Bancroft falling to the same mode of dismissal of the bowling of Nathan Ellis in the following over having each only added a single to their overnight tallies.


Captain Shaun Marsh produced another belligerent knock for his side to try and set up a total that would interest the Tigers, smashing eight fours and five sixes in his 74 ball 88, taking part time bowler Jake Doran for 21 runs in one sensational over of hitting.


Cameron Green contributed 36 in a partnership of 76 before falling to Peter Siddle, Marsh out to the last ball of the session in pursuit of quick runs, falling short of centuries in each innings having made 115 on the opening day.


D'Arcy Short had time to secure a half century of his own after the lunch break before Marsh declared, unbeaten on 57 as WA closed their second innings on 5-436, a lead of 306.


It left Tasmania with 60 overs to chase 307 for their first win of the Shield summer, Green taking the new ball and almost producing two wicket taking opportunities in the first over, Charlie Wakim taking 14 streaky runs from it to signal the Tigers intent.


Green would have some solace shortly thereafter, removing Jordan Silk for one in an exciting start to the fourth innings of the match.


Matthew Wade and Wakim played their shots for a while, but the departure of the opener for 28 to the bowling of Matt Kelly saw the innings lose momentum, Wade and Ben McDermott happy to bat out time in the final 90 minutes of the match and shake hands on a drawn game.


Wade's second half century of the match (57*) was a welcome one for the left hander, who is facing some pressure to keep his place in the Australian Test side.


McDermott was with him on 28, having top scored with 90 in the Tigers first innings.


Green and Kelly were the successful bowlers from the 43 second innings overs sent down, a second straight draw for both sides with Tasmania (2.98 points) taking slightly more bonus points from the match than Western Australia (2.72 points).


Marsh was man of the match for his double of 115 and 88, his first innings knock one of grit and determination in the toughest batting conditions of the game.


Western Australia will face Victoria in their next fixture from Sunday at Karen Rolton Oval, while Tasmania will face New South Wales back at Gladys Elphick Park, the Blues winners by one wicket in a sensational finish against Queensland.


Scott Boland's six wickets wasn't enough for Victoria against South Australia, the Redbacks holding on for a draw thanks to 151 from skipper Travis Head and contributions from Henry Hunt (80) and Liam Scott (61) at Glenelg Oval.


IMAGE: The Canberra Times.

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