Tigers struggle against Blues

A disciplined NSW bowling attack gave their side a distinct advantage over Tasmania in a dynamic opening session on day three of the Sheffield Shield cricket match at Bankstown Oval on Friday.

Resuming at 3-111, the Tigers lost 3-69 from 38 overs in a marathon two-and-a-half-hour session caused by the premature end of Thursday’s play.

They reached lunch at 6-180, with James Faulkner (27 off 85 balls) and Luke Butterworth (four off 39) having added 26 off 70 deliveries.

The Blues’ all-international attack bowled few loose deliveries on the flat track, bowling 17 maidens and conceding just eight boundaries in the lengthy session.

NSW took control after grabbing wickets in consecutive overs, including the prize scalp of opener Mark Cosgrove (84).

Aiden Blizzard (7) was caught in the slips by Michael Clarke off Josh Hazlewood (2-55) after an uncharacteristically subdued innings lasting 58 balls.

Seven balls later on the same score, the Tigers lost their mainstay when Cosgrove’s fine innings ended with a tame shot.

Cosgrove, who struck 13 fours in his 148-ball knock, clipped a delivery from Trent Copeland (2-46) straight to Moises Henriques at mid-wicket.

New batsmen Tim Paine and Faulkner tried to rebuild the innings, but found runs hard to come by.

They added 31 in almost 18 overs before Paine was dismissed.

Wrist spinner Steve Smith (1-6) struck with just his second delivery of the season, having Paine caught behind by Brad Haddin trying to cut.

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