Cowan double-century rescues Tasmania

Tasmania 5 for 333 (Cowan 204*, Marsh 90, George 4-59) v South Australia
Scorecard

Ed Cowan scored his maiden first-class double-century in a mammoth day's batting that gave Tasmania the honours against South Australia. Cowan finished the day unbeaten on 204 with James Faulkner on 14 as the Tigers recovered from a shaky start to reach 5 for 333.

Having been sent in by South Australia on the first day of Sheffield Shield cricket at Bellerive Oval this summer, Tasmania wobbled to 3 for 28 as the fast bowler Peter George caused serious top-order problems. But Cowan, who is in his first season at Tasmania, combined with the state's most experienced player, Daniel Marsh, to rescue the team.

The pair put on 240 for the fourth wicket before Marsh was denied his second hundred in as many games when he was bowled by George for 90. But there was no denying Cowan, who reached his double-century in the second-last over of the day having opened the innings.

The previous best first-class score for Cowan, who moved from New South Wales during the off-season, was an unbeaten 137. So lopsided was the Tasmania scorecard that apart from Cowan and Marsh, no other player passed 14 on the opening day, while George was the best of the Redbacks bowlers with 4 for 59.