Victoria v Tasmania, FR Cup, Melbourne

Top-of-the-table Tigers post another win

Cricinfo staff

January 18, 2008

Tasmania 6 for 250 (Anderson 48, McGain 3-49) beat Victoria 9 for 238 (Quiney 65) by 12 runs
Scorecard

Dane Anderson top scored in Tasmania's 6 for 250 © Getty Images

Ben Hilfenhaus helped Tasmania extend their lead at the top of the FR Cup table with a 12-run win over Victoria. The Bushrangers were setting themselves to overhaul Tasmania's 6 for 250 when Hilfenhaus rattled out Cameron White and David Hussey within four balls to halt Victoria's progress.

A late 31 off 27 deliveries from John Hastings kept Victoria alive but Xavier Doherty (2 for 37) bowled Hastings in the 47th over and the home side finished at 9 for 238. Daniel Marsh used his bowlers in unorthodox fashion, asking the left-arm spinner Doherty to open with Brett Geeves and the move paid off by denying Victoria a quick start.

Rob Quiney made 65 before White and Hussey combined for a 47-run stand that ended when Hilfenhaus bowled White in the 38th over. Hilfenhaus had Hussey caught three balls later and finished with 2 for 35 from his ten overs to complete the solid work started by Tasmania's batsmen.

The Tigers won the toss and after both openers fell early Marsh and Dane Anderson came together for a 92-run partnership that set up their total. Anderson was cautious, taking 78 balls for his 48, while Marsh struck one six and no fours in his 45.

Bryce McGain threatened to stop their progress when he removed both men from consecutive overs, adding a third wicket to finish with 3 for 49. But Brett Geeves remained unbeaten on 37 and Jason Krejza on 29 as they guided the Tigers to a winning score that let them jump two games clear of the second-placed South Australia.

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