DORAN’S TON LIFTS TASMANIA

A MAIDEN century from youngster Jake Doran has saved Tasmania from embarrassment on day one of the Sheffield Shield match against South Australia at Adelaide Oval yesterday.

Tasmania stumbled its way to 8-228 amid some accurate bowling from the home side, with the Tigers’ No.4 bringing up his first shield ton in the final overs.

The 20-year-old ended the day unbeaten on 103 after a patient innings, surpassing his previous best of 68.

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade was unable to bounce back with the bat following his recent Test axing, albeit contributing a steady knock of 30 from 66 balls before he was dismissed by Adam Zampa.

Tasmania was 6-140 early in the final session, but lowerorder batsman Tom Rogers helped steady the ship before being dismissed late on for 33.

Australian limited-overs leg-spinner Zampa (3-39) was a constant threat throughout his 21 overs, returning the best figures for the Redbacks.

Tasmania, which is firmly entrenched at the bottom of the ladder with no wins from three outings, limped to 2-25 in a rain-affected first session.

Alex Doolan (one) and captain George Bailey (three) were fired out early on, while opener Jordan Silk was dismissed for 23 soon after the resumption. STAR WA paceman Jason Behrendorff has revealed his back will never heal fully, but he hopes it doesn’t hold him back from realising his Test dream. Behrendorff has been forced to deal with back pain since suffering a serious stress fracture in early 2015.

The 27-year-old missed the recent Sheffield Shield loss to South Australia because of a flare-up, but he’ll return for the clash with Queensland, starting today at the WACA Ground. Behrendorff remains one of Australia’s most-talented bowlers, despite being plagued in recent years by back and leg problems.

On his return last summer from a broken leg, Behrendorff snared the stunning figures of 9-37 in a Shield innings against Victoria.