Wade, Tigers cop Shield penalty

Tasmania and captain Matthew Wade have been hit with a slow over rate penalty following their round seven JLT Sheffield Shield victory over South Australia.

The Tigers were found to be short of their required number of overs in the match, being a total of one over behind.

Tasmania wrapped up a six-wicket victory in that match at Adelaide Oval late last month, but have been docked one match point for the over-rate penalty under article 12.15.4.1 of the Sheffield Shield playing conditions.

Wade was given one strike for the over rate breach under Rule 12.15.4.2. If Tasmania, with Wade as captain, incur another over rate strike in the Sheffield Shield this season, he would be suspended for their next Shield match. 

Tasmania, who accepted the sanctions without appeal, have just one Shield match remaining for the season, against NSW at Blundstone Arena beginning on Wednesday.

Their hopes of again reaching the competition final were dashed following their 51-run defeat to Western Australia on Friday, but Wade remains on the cusp of achieving a rare Shield milestone in the last round of the season.

Both Wade and Victoria’s Marcus Harris are within touching distance of the magical 1000-run barrier, a mark only two Shield batsmen have reached in one summer in the past decade.

Wade has 922 runs at 61.46 to his name, highlighted by two centuries and seven fifties.

He was also in red-hot form for Hobart Hurricanes during this summer’s KFC BBL, hitting 592 runs, ranking him second for the tournament behind teammate D’Arcy Short.

The 31-year-old sent another reminder to national selectors on Friday with a brilliant 134 on the final day of Tasmania’s Shield clash against WA.