TIGERS BELTED AGAIN
TASMANIA’S wobbly start to the season continued last night with another 100-plus-run JLT Cup one-day cricket loss, this time to Sheffield Shield champion Victoria.
The Vics bounced back from their opening defeat in the tournament to secure a hefty 111-run win over Tasmania, which was built around a big-hitting century from Cameron White.
Chasing 326 for victory at the WACA Ground in Perth, Tasmania remained in the hunt until the midway point of the innings.
A 103-run stand between Ben McDermott (97) and George Bailey (52) gave Tasmania a glimmer of hope.
But McDermott fell shy of a maiden one-day century, with Tasmania bowled out for 214 off 46 overs.
Former Test opener Peter Siddle (3-27) took two early scalps as Tasmania stumbled to 2-21, while all five of Victoria’s frontline bowlers were among the wickets.
The tone was set from the start of Victoria’s innings, as Marcus Harris (75) and White put on a run-a-ball opening stand of 130.
White continued the onslaught by hitting 165 — Victoria’s highest score in the competition — in a spectacular knock that included six sixes.
The Bushrangers’ captain was dismissed in the final over as his side reached a commanding 6-325.
Andrew Fekete was the pick of the Tasmanian attack, taking 4-48 off his 10 overs.
It is a second heavy defeat for Tasmania after losing by 102 runs to NSW on Monday in the first of their two matches in the west. RECOVERING Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has confirmed he is slated to return to action for games two and three of the Sheffield Shield season — giving him two hitouts leading into the first Test against England.
Ideally, NSW would love to have Hazlewood (side strain) back for the opening round of the Shield, which will likely feature Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. But unfortunately, James Pattinson is in fresh injury trouble.
Test great Michael Slater believes ODI star Nathan Coulter-Nile will play games two and three of the Shield and put himself firmly in line for a shock Test debut against England at the Gabba.