A stubborn Tasmanian tail salvaged a draw on Wednesday’s final day of their Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia at Bellerive.
James Faulkner was the hero for Tasmania as he frustrated the Warriors’ bowlers to finish the day unbeaten on 63 off 119 balls as he and Sam Rainbird (0 off 40) left the hosts at 8-215 to hang on for the draw.
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 with 14.5 overs to go.
Despite the best efforts of Simon Mackin, who finished the match with eight wickets, the home side hung on.
Earlier, Western Australia 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). The Warriors declared at 6-270 to leave Tasmania needing 325 from 71 overs to win.
The home side started well, with Ed Cowan and Jordan Silk guiding them to 0-69 in the 19th over but, when those two and Alex Doolan were all dismissed in the space of five overs, the momentum was with the visitors.
Ashton Agar gave the Warriors more hope when he removed Ben Dunk (12) with the second ball after tea and, in spite a 59-run partnership between Jon Wells and Faulkner, the wickets of Wells and Tim Paine off Mackin ensured Tasmania were firmly in survival mode.
The Tigers’ cause wasn’t helped when Clive Rose gave Agar a simple catch at mid-on on eight and Ben Hilfenhaus was trapped lbw to Agar to leave the hosts teetering at 8-190.
With almost 15 overs to get only two wickets, the determined Faulkner and Rainbird continued to repel the Western Australian bowlers.
They weren’t helped by their fielding with Cameron Bancroft dropping two tough chances.