Tasmania survive scare to hold on for WACA draw

Tasmania have survived a serious day-four scare to hold on for a draw in their Marsh Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia at the WACA.

The match looked set for a draw when the hosts declared on 8-574 with a first-innings lead of 135 at lunch on Wednesday, but it suddenly sprung to life in the afternoon.

West Australian quick Liam Haskett bagged 2-0 from his first two overs, while spinner Corey Rocchiccioli also struck early to leave Tasmania 3-29.

The third of those wickets was not without drama with Jordan Silk caught in close off Haskett for a duck off a ball that appeared to hit his thigh.

Tasmania then looked to have the match saved when Matthew Wade and Caleb Jewell survived 22 overs for the fourth wicket before Lance Morris took Jewell's leg stump with a yorker on 27.

And when Wade was given out lbw to Rocchiccioli for 11 shortly after, the game was back on.

But from there Beau Webster (32no) and Bradley Hope (27no) lasted through 31.2 overs and erased Tasmania's deficit, earning a draw when the match was called 10 balls early.

The result ensures Tasmania go top of the table with South Australia, who comprehensively defeated NSW earlier in the day, in second.

Wednesday's collapse had gone against the bat-dominated game over the first three days.

Silk had hit 181 in Tasmania's first innings as they reached 439, with Rocchiccoli also taking 4-144 with the ball.

Sam Whiteman amassed 188 in reply for Western Australia and Cameron Bancroft and Ashton Turner hit 91 and 82no respectively in their 8(dec)-574.

Sheffield Shield 2023-24 standings

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Drawn D	No results N/R	Deductions Ded.	Batting Bonus Bat	Bowling Bonus Bowl	Total points PTS
1 Western Australia Men WA	10	5	2	3	0	0	5.53	9.4	47.93
2 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	10	5	2	3	0	0	6.06	8.3	47.36
3 NSW Men NSW	10	4	3	3	0	0	6.31	9	42.31
4 Victoria Men VIC	10	4	4	2	0	0	4.74	8.2	38.94
5 South Australia Men SA	10	3	6	1	0	0	5.19	9.3	33.49
6 Queensland Bulls QLD	10	2	6	2	0	0	3.54	8.3	25.84

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

D: Drawn

N/R: No results

Ded.: Deductions

Bat: Batting Bonus

Bowl: Bowling Bonus

PTS: Total points