Tasmania hit back but Redbacks still in control

Tasmania hit back with the ball but still face a daunting fight for survival in their Sheffield Shield match against South Australia at Bellerive Oval.

The Tigers went to stumps on day three at 1-41 chasing 429 for victory, with Jake Weatherald (26no) and Tim Ward (9no) at the crease.

Tasmania lost Nivethan Radhakrishnan for four early in their run chase when the opener was bowled by Nathan McAndrew.

The Tigers have a big mountain to climb to win, or even draw, the match.

South Australia took control of the contest by posting 6(dec)-398 and skittling Tasmania for 203.

Things were looking even more dire for Tasmania as the Redbacks moved to 0-117 and 3-211 in their second innings.

But the Tigers' attack hit back hard, sparking a collapse of 6-22 before South Australia declared at 9-233.

Conor McInerney (75 off 73 balls), Henry Hunt (31 off 57) and Jason Sangha (61 off 92) had set an excellent platform for South Australia before Tasmania clicked into gear.

Spinner Matt Kuhnemann, who has his eyes on a Test recall for the tour of Sri Lanka, was the chief destroyer with 4-67.

Kuhnemann produced a spectacular one-handed catch off his own bowling to remove Hunt, and bowled Liam Scott and Jake Fraser-McGurk as they attempted to heave him for six. 

Nathan McAndrew became his fourth scalp, with paceman Gabe Bell (2-41) the only other multiple wicket-taker for the Tigers.

Sheffield Shield standings 2024-25

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 South Australia Men SA	6	3	1	2	0	0	4.63	5.3	29.93
2 Victoria Men VIC	6	3	2	1	0	0	3.76	5.3	28.06
3 NSW Men NSW	6	2	2	2	0	0	5.5	4.7	24.2
4 Western Australia Men WA	6	2	2	2	0	0	5.11	4.8	23.91
5 Queensland Bulls QLD	6	1	2	3	0	0	4.71	5.6	19.31
6 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	6	1	3	2	0	0	6.05	4.6	18.65

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