South Australia blew its one-day cricket hopes with two embarrassing under arm misses from close range in the final over of yesterday’s match against Tasmania.
The two missed run out opportunities in the final over cost the Redbacks dearly.
Kane Richardson failed to hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end when Tasmania’s Ben Laughlin backed up too far.
Richardson had plenty of time to knock the bails off with ball in hand but threw the ball at the stumps at close range only to miss.
The wicket keeper Tim Ludeman then missed another run out chance when his under arm throw went wide of the stumps from just a couple of metres away.
Tasmania’s Ben Hilfenhaus wrapped up the match on the last ball when, needing just one run, he flicked the ball down the leg side for four.
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South Australia accumulated runs at a good rate throughout their innings to finish with 6-268; 32 runs higher than the best score of the season to date set by Victoria.
Opener Michael Klinger struck an unbeaten 140 off 153 balls in a sparkling knock which included three sixes.
Former Australia all-rounder Andrew McDonald was stumped for 20 off the bowling of Clive Rose, but Klinger and Tom Cooper added 116 for the second wicket at virtually a run-a-ball.
Cooper was dismissed for 65 off 71 deliveries, in a fluent innings which included four fours and two sixes.
Tasmania rallied in the second half of the innings, taking wickets at regular intervals to help temper the run rate until South Australia’s late surge.
South Australia captain Johan Botha, who was cited for a suspect bowling action on Monday, looked impressive until being dismissed for 16 off 25 balls.
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Off-spinner Rose was the best of the Tasmania bowlers collecting 2-33 on debut off his allotted ten overs, having made the move from Victoria during the winter.
In reply, Alex Doolan top-scored for Tasmania with 66, and he enjoyed good support from Evan Gulbis who hit 50.
Tasmania were marginally off the required run rate for much of the innings.
Tim Paine and Jordan Silk put on a half-century partnership to help their side back into the contest, while Laughlin’s 34 off 17 deliveries including three sixes was crucial at the death.
Laughlin said a return to Tasmania reinvigorated the team after successive defeats.
“We had a chat about batting against spin which worked well for us today, and also about developing partnerships though we are still waiting to get a big one,” he said.
“At half-time I thought they were probably 30-40 runs above par based on recent matches here, but in the end I think we proved it was a pretty good wicket for batting.”
Klinger refused to lay any blame on Richardson despite his poor missed run out chance.
“I wouldn’t blame Richo on that one,” he said.
“They only needed a run a ball at that point. Personally, I don’t think they should have got near our score if we bowled to our plan but we didn’t quite do that.”
