Sheffield Shield: Cowan stretches Tassie lead
Opener Ed Cowan will be eyeing a repeat century in Tasmania’s second innings to widen the gap over South Australia.
The Tigers took first innings points on Thursday in the Sheffield Shield clash at Bellerive Oval, dismissing the visitors for 302, after themselves posting 362.
In their second innings Tasmania are 1-41 at tea.
Cowan’s 147-run stand, including 21 boundaries, on Tuesday put the hosts in a strong position and the left-hander was showing similar signs as he returned to the crease on Thursday.
At tea Cowan was 27 not out with four boundaries.
In contrast Jordan Silk (13) couldn’t find form, trapped lbw by a Gary Putland (1-28) delivery in the 12th over.
It hasn’t been a good showing for the 22-year-old opener who was an early departure in the first innings when he also fell victim to Putland after adding just seven runs.
Cowan will return after tea with fellow batsman Alex Doolan, who has one at the break.
Meanwhile, Western Australia skipper Adam Voges notched his 20th first-class century but Victoria remain in the box seat in the Sheffield Shield clash at the WACA Ground.
Victoria secured a first-innings lead of 63 after bowling WA out for 287 in reply to the Bushrangers’ 350.
Voges scored a valiant 101 off 166 balls, but WA’s hopes of getting close to Victoria’s first-innings total vanished when they lost their last five wickets for just 68 runs.
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Paceman Scott Boland was the pick of the Victorian bowlers with 3-43 from 18.5 overs, while part-time spinner Glenn Maxwell chipped in with two wickets.
Victoria entered lunch on day three at 0-25 in their second innings, with Rob Quiney on eight after surviving a huge appeal for caught behind when he was on just three.
Victoria picked up 2.83 first-innings bonus points compared to WA’s 1.37, meaning the Bushrangers will leapfrog the Warriors into top spot unless WA manages to win outright.
