Tasmania v South Australia, Sheffield Shield, 2nd day

Last pair gets Tasmania a slim lead

Cricinfo staff

November 4, 2008

South Australia 232 and 3 for 92 (Harris 37*) lead Tasmania 252 (Birt 42, George 4-56) by 72 runs
Scorecard

Tasmania picked up first-innings points thanks to a 66-run tenth-wicket partnership between Gerard Denton and Ben Hilfenhaus after South Australia's debutant fast bowler Peter George troubled the middle order. George collected three wickets in three overs as the Tigers wobbled to 9 for 186, still 46 short of South Australia's total.

But Hilfenhaus and Denton showed impressive resolve to hang on and secure a 20-run advantage, which was finalised when Hilfenhaus was bowled for 31. The pair made the biggest partnership of the innings and at stumps Hilfenhaus joked that he had had a point to prove. "I've just been dropped from 10 to 11," Hilfenhaus said, "so I had something to prove there I reckon."

The openers Dane Anderson and Rhett Lockyear each made starts before falling in the 20s and Travis Birt hung around for a handy 42. Shaun Tait continued to struggle for impact in the four-day format - he collected 1 for 66 in 15 overs and his only wicket was the No. 10 Tim Macdonald.

But George, the 202-centimetre fast man, kept South Australia on track with 4 for 56, which was the best first-innings return from a South Australian debutant in ten years. However, it wasn't enough to earn a lead for his team and at stumps Tasmania had carried some of their momentum into the field.

Brett Geeves and Macdonald reduced South Australia to 2 for 33 in the 14th over and Younis Khan failed again and was bowled by Denton for 24. At stumps, South Australia were 3 for 92 with Daniel Harris on 37 and Callum Ferguson on 19.

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