Tasmania v Western Australia, Pura Cup, Hobart, 3rd day

Di Venuto and Marsh give Tigers hope

Cricinfo staff

December 21, 2006

Tasmania 94 and 9 for 443 (Di Venuto 131, Marsh 109, Geeves 64*, Edmondson 4-153) lead Western Australia 392 by 145 runs
Scorecard

Michael Di Venuto scored his second century of 2006-07 © Getty Images

Michael Di Venuto and Daniel Marsh have staged a considerable comeback for Tasmania, each scoring a century as the Tigers built a 145-run lead to keep their match against Western Australia alive. Late runs from Brett Geeves helped the home side to 9 for 443 at stumps as they set out to prove their first-innings 94 was an aberration.

Di Venuto's 131 - his second century in 2006-07 - anchored the innings as the other top-order batsmen made starts but failed to go on. Marsh joined Di Venuto at 4 for 207 and when the opener was bowled shortly after, Marsh took on the responsibility of keeping his side in the game. He continued his consistent season and put together a 96-run partnership with Geeves.

Marsh was out for 109 in the final session but even when they were nine wickets down the Tigers did not give up. Geeves was unbeaten on 64 at the close, having added 37 with the No. 11 Ben Hilfenhaus (17 not out).

Ben Edmondson followed his six first-innings wickets with 4-153 but the Warriors were unable to reproduce their opening-day dominance. The visitors had earned a 298-run first-innings lead - and remain in the strongest position - but either team could yet claim victory on the final day.

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