TASMANIA ON TOP

Tasmanian batsmen show true grit against Victoria

CONCUSSION s ubstitute Jake Doran and veteran Alex Doolan have dug in their heels to help Tasmania build a handy second-innings lead over Victoria in the Sheffield Shield.

Doolan was unbeaten on 107 with skipper George Bailey 30 not out as Tasmania went to stumps on day two at 1-180, leading Victoria by 208 runs at the MCG. It was a refreshing change after a long series of batting collapses by Tasmania in recent Sheffield Shield encounters.

Doran and Doolan faced 263 balls together as Tasmania looked to slow the frantic pace of a game in which 20 wickets had already fallen before lunch on day two. Their partnership came to an end when Peter Siddle had Doran caught behind after tea for 35.

The 20-year-old Doran took to the crease in place of Jordan Silk, who suffered delayed-onset concussion after ducking into a Siddle bouncer in the first hour of play on Monday.

Silk had continued to field for Tasmania yesterday morning and took an excellent diving catch at cover to dismiss Daniel Christian (35) off the bowling of Tom Rogers.

It is the first time a concussion substitute has been used since the rule was introduced to the Shield this season.

NSW’s Daniel Hughes was the first player to come off under the rule when it was brought into the domestic one- day competition last year.

The importance of concussion management in cricket was highlighted by the death of Phillip Hughes in 2014. Hughes was struck on the neck by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match and died in hospital two days later.

Victoria resumed yesterday at 4-103 and were all out for 144 90 minutes into the morning session as Tasmania’s bowling attack led by Gabe Bell wasted no time in wrapping up the innings.

Opener Marcus Harris topscored for Victoria with 86 to keep his name in the mix for Ashes selection.

Harris, who made a century against South Australia last week, would likely be among the contenders to replace Matthew Renshaw should he struggle in the first two Ashes Tests.

Glenn Maxwell was earlier dismissed for four while Aaron Finch and Test batsman Peter Handscomb made ducks.