Smart Alex
CLASSY Tasmanian right-hander Alex Doolan raised his bat for the second time in the match against South Australia in Adelaide yesterday, but it wasn’t quite enough to steer the Tigers home in their Sheffield Shield clash. Chasing 337 to secure what would have been their second win of the season, the Tigers finished on 8-308, with Doolan making 116.
OPENING batsman Alex Doolan completed twin tons, but Tasmania fell short in a dramatic last-day run chase against South Australia in their Sheffield Shield match.
Set 337 runs to win, Tasmania finished 8-308 in a tense draw at Adelaide Oval. Doolan made 116 on yesterday’s final day to follow his unbeaten 170 in the first innings.
The elegant right-hander put the visitors on track for victory: they were cruising at 3-240 with 23 overs remaining.
But Doolan’s dismissal swung momentum, triggering a collapse of 5-53 to give the Redbacks a whiff of victory in the last hour.
Tasmanian stalwart George Bailey (32 not out) and tailender Lawrence Neil-Smith (one not out) navigated the last seven overs to deny SA.
The Redbacks’ victory prospects appeared remote until Doolan, Ben McDermott (42), Test captain Tim Paine (one), Jackson Bird (six) and Alex Pyecroft (13) fell in rapid succession. Doolan, who faced 604 balls across both innings, had earlier put on a 95-run stand with Beau Webster (40) as the Tasmanians sought a second win of the shield season.
Test batsman Matthew Wade cracked 38 from 37 balls before being caught attempting a reverse sweep, before Doolan and McDermott featured in a 53-run partnership.
Doolan then feathered an edge to the wicketkeeper from the bowling of Wes Agar (3-49) and the tide turned.
Tasmania required 74 runs with five wickets in hand from the final 15 overs, but failed.