Tasmanian coach Dan Marsh has called on his batsmen to do more after another top-order collapse, despite the Tigers escaping with a draw in their Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia at Bellerive.
So far this season, five of Tasmania’s six innings have not cracked the 300-run mark.
With the top order failing again against the unbeaten Western Australia, with the Tigers’ top five only making 209 runs between them for the match, it was left to the Tasmanian tail to salvage a draw.
The Warriors had needed to take only two more wickets on Wednesday’s final day in the remaining 14.5 overs.
After setting a formidable target of 325 on the back of Adam Voges’ first century of the season, Western Australia had Tasmania on the ropes at 8-190.
Despite the best efforts of Simon Mackin, who finished the match with eight wickets, the home side hung on.
James Faulkner (63no off 119 balls) and Sam Rainbird (0 off 40) combined to navigate Tasmania to 8-215.
Earlier, the Warriors successfully navigated the loss of three early wickets with Voges building on his overnight score of 61 to post his 19th first-class ton (109no). They declared at 6-270 to leave Tasmania needing 325 from 71 overs to win.
Marsh said he was disappointed his side didn’t have more of a crack at the total.
“Once again, not enough runs out of the top order. It’s got to change for us quickly or it will be a season of frustration,” he said.
Marsh also said his side would welcome back George Bailey and Xavier Doherty from national duties, as well as quick Jackson Bird from injury, for their next match against Queensland starting on Tuesday in Brisbane.
Western Australia remain on top of the Shield ladder and will look to extend their lead when they take on second-placed Victoria next week at the MCG.
The Warriors will take heart from a breakout performance by young quick Mackin, named man of the match with figures of 4-54 and 4-36.
The 22-year-old defended his side’s decision to give themselves only 71 overs to bowl Tasmania out, saying they did all they could.
“We obviously got ourselves in a great position to take the points but, unfortunately, we came up short,” he said.
“I think we’ll still take a lot of confidence from the game.”
