HOWZAT EVEN POSSIBLE?
TIGERS SNATCH DEFEAT FROM JAWS OF VICTORY
TASMANIAN coach Adam Griffith has labelled coughing up a record breaking run chase at Blundstone Arena yesterday as the perfect metaphor for his side’s stuttering Sheffield Shield season.
Defending champions Queensland pulled off the highest fourth innings run chase in history at the venue when they overhauled their 414 run target with more than an hour left on the final day, completing a fourwicket win that looked almost impossible when they were 8-86 at stumps on day one.
Skipper Jimmy Peirson (75) and Michael Neser (76) combined for an unconquered stand of 143 to guide the Bulls home after they had slipped to 5-233 following a brilliant three-ball burst from Riley Meredith (3-70) either side of lunch.
However an inability to cling onto crucial chances proved the ultimate downfall for the hosts.
Peirson was dropped twice, the first at first slip by Jordan Silk on 22 just after tea with 112 runs still to get, although he may have been off put by gloveman Matthew Wade, who looked like he was going to dive across.
The second was on 36 when George Bailey nearly hauled in a one-handed screamer at short cover — while Bailey also grassed a more straightforward offering at mid-wicket to give Neser a life on 65 with the score at 6-381.
A failure to secure those rare offerings, coupled with a late second innings collapse with the bat, were the difference according to Griffith.
“We knew it was going to be a really tough day, the wicket was only getting better and better to bat on,” he said.
“The disappointing thing for us was the backend of our second innings with the bat, we probably left another 60, 70, 80 runs out there.
“There were some good performances there but when you miss those opportunities that arise when you don’t get many in these conditions, to miss those is pretty disappointing.
“I think it probably sums our season up so far with the ball this game, we had our opportunities and played some really good cricket but when the chance was there, the moment to win the game, we couldn’t quite grasp it.
“That’s a metaphor for our season so far.”
The loss also had big ramifications on the points table heading into the BBL break, with the Tigers leapfrogged from the Bulls and sliding to fifth when a victory would have put them in second.
It was the second recordbreaking chase Queensland has pulled off in three seasons, after they registered the second highest pursuit ever in overhauling 471 against South Australia in 2015-16.
“I… spoke about that game, 470 I think we chased there — on good wickets anything is possible if you give yourself a chance, as long as you bat until the last session,” Peirson said.
“We had to dig deep to get to day four and then also to get a win, that sort of stuff is what fairytales are made of.” CRICKET Tasmania will today announce the extent of Hurricanes star import Hayley Matthews’ injury.
The all-rounder injured a knee in an awkward fall attempting to regain her ground in Sunday’s win over the Melbourne Stars in Burnie.