Victoria 106 and 373 for 8 (Maddinson 109, Harris 76, Handscomb 71, Carlisle 3-63) want 69 extra runs to beat Tasmania 240 and 307
Victoria coach Chris Rogers was pinning his hopes on a Will Sutherland masterclass after his aspect suffered a expensive late collapse of their Sheffield Protect match in opposition to Tasmania in Hobart.
However a collapse of 4 for 25 late within the day thrust Tasmania again into the field seat. Victoria’s hopes relaxation within the palms of Sutherland, Todd Murphy and No.11 Peter Siddle.
Sutherland was nonetheless fortunate to be there after being dropped by Beau Webster on 7. Webster reached throughout his team-mate at slip in a bid to take the one-handed catch, however it went down.
“We’re nonetheless in it. It looks like a protracted solution to go, however there’s nonetheless hope,” Rogers mentioned. “You by no means know what can occur.
“Will Sutherland continues to be there. He can rating and rating shortly. If he can get some help down the opposite finish, you by no means know what can occur.”
Victoria entered the match second on the desk and understanding a loss may tumble them to as little as fourth with only one spherical remaining.
However a win over Tasmania would go away them within the prime place to safe a spot within the last – and presumably internet hosting rights – forward of their final-round conflict with Western Australia at Junction Oval.
Tasmania can safe their spot within the decider with victory, with internet hosting rights additionally inside their attain.
A whopping 17 wickets fell on the opening day and 13 on the second at Blundstone Area. However the pitch regarded as flat as a highway for many of day three as Maddinson and Harris put the Tasmanian assault to the sword. Maddinson’s ton, his third in consecutive Protect matches, got here off simply 112 balls, with 14 fours and a six.
His departure sparked a chaotic interval through which Pucovski retired harm after being struck by a Meredith bouncer as Victoria misplaced 3 for 33.
Pucovski went into the match having suffered at the least 11 earlier concussions in his profession, and it stays to be seen what influence his newest head knock can have on his taking part in future.
