Three centurions put Tasmania in complete control

Jake Doran, Beau Webster and Bradley Hope have scored centuries to put Tasmania within striking distance of victory just two days into their Marsh Sheffield Shield clash with NSW at Blundstone Arena.

In reply to NSW's substandard first-innings total of 181, Tasmania plundered 493 on the back of big knocks from Hope (132no off 146 balls), Doran (118) and Webster (103).

The 312-run first-innings lead for Tasmania looked even more daunting by stumps on Sunday after NSW limped to the end of the day at 3-46.

Daniel Hughes (21), Blake Macdonald (12) and nightwatchman Jack Nisbet (0) were the batters to depart, leaving opener Ryan Hackney (13no) and Matthew Gilkes (0no) with a huge mountain to climb when play resumes on Monday.

NSW need a further 266 runs to make Tasmania bat again.

Tasmania had been struggling at 4-48 in their first innings on Saturday before the three centurions dug them out of trouble on Sunday and set the home side up for victory.

"It's been a poor day for us today," NSW coach Greg Shipperd said.

"Not enough penetration with the ball right across the day. To Tasmania's credit, they batted wonderfully well.

"Disappointingly for us, we've not found any rhythm in this game.

"We're in a tough spot, but we'll fight and see what we can bring in terms of a second-innings total and keep the game alive."

Hope was brutal on the way to posting his maiden first-class century, cracking 21 boundaries during his unbeaten innings.

"It's pretty special," Hope said.

"It hasn't quite sunk in yet. I'm just happy to get it done for the boys.

"I think (my aim) was just to bat as normally as possible. Dorsy and Beau had done all the hard work."

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