Tasmania are set for a charge at the domestic one-day cup finals after a resounding 93-run win over South Australia to leapfrog their opponents and into third place on the competition standings.
Tasmania posted a challenging tally of 4-234 off their 50 overs on Wednesday on a slow Blacktown wicket, before routing SA for just 141 off 40.4 overs.
Medium-pacer Evan Gulbis made full use of the conditions, collecting 4-12 from 6.4 overs, as SA lost their final seven wickets for only 42 runs.
Tasmanian opener Tim Paine starred with the bat remaining unbeaten throughout the innings for a watchful 109 from 141 deliveries.
“We haven’t played our best cricket yet, but we’re right where we want to be at this stage of the tournament,” said Paine. “Hopefully, we can keep building from this match.”
Paine and fellow opener Ben Dunk put on 134 for the opening wicket, while allrounder James Faulkner boosted the run rate in the latter stages with a handy 32.
“At times, it can be slow and ugly (batting here), so my job today was just to bat and bat,” said Paine.
It was a significant turnaround for Tasmania who became the first team to lose to the CA XI last Saturday when they fell three runs short of victory.
The top three teams will feature in the one-day cup finals, with runaway leaders NSW already almost assured of a spot.
“We probably didn’t put Tasmania under enough pressure with the wicket giving a bit to the bowlers early, and we just didn’t bat well enough at all,” said SA captain Travis Head.
“Our batters are in form. We have to be confident in the middle, and we have shown that in two games and haven’t shown that in the other two.”
Don Freo
Guest
So that "worst team" is the reigning champ and the "bye" is the second side on the table. Any more knowledge-laden comments?
Sideline Comm.
Guest
No.
E-Meter
Guest
They've just beaten the worst state team in the country and now they're talking up their chances. Playing South Aus is like the bye. Guaranteed points. Tassie got belted by NSW a few days ago.