Tasmania have secured a thrilling four-run victory over Victoria, led by Gabe Bell’s incredible six-wicket haul in the second innings.
Meanwhile, Western Australia’s tailenders dug deep to secure a remarkable draw against New South Wales, despite Sam Konstas’ stunning unbeaten 151.
Catch up on all the latest Sheffield Shield action below.
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WA TAILENDERS DENY NSW VICTORY DESPITE KONSTAS’ STUNNING CENTURY
After spending the entire final day in the field, New South Wales were unable to finish the job against Western Australia, with the hosts holding on for a hard-fought draw in their Sheffield Shield clash.
Western Australia were set a mammoth target of 364 runs after New South Wales declared at 5-262, led by a stunning unbeaten century from Sam Konstas.
The young star smashed 151 not out from just 167 balls on day three, leaving the hosts with plenty of work to do heading into the final day.
Resuming at 3-30, Western Australia needed someone to stand up, and Jayden Goodwin did exactly that.
Western Australia held on for a dramatic draw against New South Wales.Source: Getty Images
Goodwin led the way with a patient 67 from 165 balls, while Hilton Cartwright added 34 from 65 deliveries and Corey Wasley chipped in with 29 from 54.
But it was Joel Curtis and Joel Paris who dug deep when Western Australia needed them most.
The pair faced a mountain of deliveries to frustrate the New South Wales bowlers, with Curtis facing 113 balls and Paris surviving 82 as the hosts fought to save the match.
Ben Dwarshuis was impressive with the ball for New South Wales, claiming four wickets from his 22 overs, while Jack Edwards and Tanveer Sangha picked up two wickets each.
The visitors had put themselves in a strong position earlier in the match, thanks to an impressive first-innings performance from Kurtis Patterson.
Patterson made 122 from 214 balls, while Konstas contributed 71 and Jake Scott added 60 as New South Wales declared at 440.
Western Australia struggled to match the visitors with the bat, finishing their first innings at 339.
Ben Dwarshuis claimed four wickets for New South Wales.Source: Getty Images
Kieran Elliott top-scored with 79, while Curtis provided some valuable runs down the order with 65 to keep the hosts in the contest.
But it was Konstas who stole the show in the second innings, with his unbeaten 151 helping New South Wales declare at 5-262 and set Western Australia a daunting target.
The visitors looked on track to secure victory when Jhye Richardson fell in the 83rd over, but Curtis and Paris had other ideas.
The pair dug in and frustrated the New South Wales attack, surviving until play was called after 111 overs to secure a draw after four days of cricket.
MATCH DETAILS
New South Wales: 440/6d (Patterson 122 & Konstas 71) & 262/5d (Konstas 151 & Hicks 35), Western Australia: 339 (Elliott 79 & Curtis 65) & 244/9 (Goodwin 67 & Cartwright 34).
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BELL’S SIX-WICKET HEROICS SEAL EPIC SHIELD THRILLER
Gabe Bell held his nerve when Tasmania needed it most.
The seamer inspired his state to an epic Sheffield Shield triumph over Victoria at Bellerive Oval on Thursday.
The Vics, starting the day 5-98 needing 173 to win, were on the cusp of a famous victory through Marcus Harris (63), Liam Blackford (80) and Fergus O’Neill (53).
But Bell posed an impenetrable roadblock at the final turn for Victoria, capturing 6-75 off a marathon 25 overs to win the match for Tasmania.
O’Neill and Blackford put on 81 and took Victoria within 19 runs before the wicketkeeper played a loose cut shot.
Blackford had played beautifully but perhaps the approaching new ball – due in eight balls – incited what was a rare false stroke.
O’Neill edged Victoria within eight runs but showed how fine the margins are in cricket when he was caught on the fence off Bell.
Gabe Bell was the hero for Tasmania against Victoria.Source: Getty Images
Riley Meredith juggled the matchwinnnig moment at deep point but eventually held on.
A furious O’Neill stormed off the ground, leaving second-gamer Harry Hoekstra and No.11 David Moody in charge of the chase.
Bell had five balls at Moody for one run before finding the outside edge of Hoekstra at the end of his 25th over.
The monumental win gets Tasmania off the mark and keeps Victoria winless to start this Shield season after advancing through to last year’s final in record pace.
Bell was extraordinary in the final innings but much of the win can be attributed to Ben McDermott’s superb first-dig ton after the Tigers slumped to 7-45.
Tasmania and Victoria face off in a One Day Cup fixture on Saturday.
MATCH DETAILS
Tasmania: 241 (McDermott 128 & Jake Doran 73) & 236 (Chaudhary 81 & Doran 47), Victoria: 207 (Harris 54 & Peake 50) & 266 (Blackford 80 & Harris 63).
Player of the Match: Ben McDermott (Tasmania): 128 & 33.