Sheffield Shield: Tasmania require 130 to win against Victoria
Tasmania require 130 more runs in the final session to win their four-day Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at Hobart on Monday.
The wicket had some moisture during the first two days but it eased out as the match progressed. However, it will be a big ask for the Tasmanian batsmen to win the match.
Tasmania had to bat 4 overs on Sunday and that cost them the wicket of their centurion from the first innings, Ed Cowan. He played a vital role for his team in the first innings to give them a lead of 33 runs and would have liked to lead the run chase.
The start to the final day was good for Victoria as they got the early breakthrough they required. Nick Kruger was dismissed after scoring just 9 runs. He would have been disappointed to miss out for the second innings in a row.
This brought the Tasmania captain George Bailey at the crease along with Alex Doolan. The pair did well to take their side out of trouble after they were struggling at 21 for the loss of both the openers.
Both Bailey and Doolan played splendidly well to take their team to a position of safety. The pair constructed a brilliant century partnership for the third wicket and took the team total to 133.
Doolan scored a steady half-century and was dismissed after scoring 54 runs. He would have liked to carry onto the start he got but was undone by some good bowling by Peter Siddle. The one-down batsmen had done his job by providing a solid platform to the
lower middle-order.
Mark Cosgrove joined Bailey in the middle and the pair continued to play steadily for their team. However, Cosgrove failed to capitalise his start and was dismissed after scoring just 12 runs.
The wicket of Cosgrove brought Travis Birt at the crease and he made sure that he stayed unbeaten until the end of the second session of play.
Bailey was outstanding for his team as he played a brilliant knock. He remained unbeaten on 98 when the umpires called the session off. He will be looking forward to reach his century after tea and then possibly go for a victory in the final overs of the
day.
Damien Wright, Jon Holland, Siddle and James Pattinson took one wicket each for Victoria and they all will be looking to get a couple of quick wickets in the final session of play to help their team win the match, which seems to be headed towards a draw.