Victoria, Tassie in showdown for Shield final spot

VICTORIA and Tasmania will fight for a spot in the Sheffield Shield final when they meet in the final round in Hobart from next Wednesday.

The winner will earn the right to face likely table topper Queensland in the season finale.

A stunning century from Travis Head yesterday was not quite enough to save South Australia’s season as Tasmania held on for a 16-run victory.

Chasing 331 to win on the final day at Bellerive Oval, bottom-placed SA appeared on track for an unlikely win before eventually falling to defeat when they were all out for 314.

Resuming at 1-49, SA’s task seemed impossible after losing key men Jake Weatherald (17), Callum Ferguson (11) and Jake Lehmann (seven) inside the opening half-hour to be 4-69.

However, Head launched a counter attack scoring at a runa-ball for much of his innings, before bringing up his ton off 123 deliveries.

Tom Cooper contributed 38 and Joe Mennie made 28, but their dismissals left SA’s hopes resting on their captain as the Redbacks slipped to 8-255. Head resumed his attack on the bowling and, with the help of rookie fast bowler Nick Winter (25), SA edged closer with a 57-run ninth-wicket stand. Head, however, eventually fell for 145 after edging a catch to slips off Sam Rainbird, with SA 19 runs short of victory.