Tigers win maintains Shield final hopes

Tasmania 7 for 345 dec and 4 for 150 defeated New South Wales 341 and 150 (Bird 4-51, Faulkner 4-52) by 6 wickets

Scorecard

Tasmania kept in touch with the Sheffield Shield pace-setters Queensland and Western Australia and maintained hope of defending last summer's title with a six-wicket defeat of New South Wales on the final day of the match in Hobart.

Six points at Bellerive Oval took the Tigers to 22, four behind WA after their dramatic victory over Queensland at the Gabba, which kept the Bulls on 30 points with three rounds remaining.

The Blues began the day uncertainly placed at 4 for 75 and the seamer Jackson Bird ensured the visitors' lead would not be substantial by matching James Faulkner's four wickets for the innings.

Simon Katcih was unable to bat as he continued to suffer from headaches and dizziness following a blow to the head while batting in the first innings. Only Phillip Hughes and the captain Steve O'Keefe passed 20 for NSW as the Tigers were set 147 to win.

The openers Ed Cowan and Steven Cazzulino brought the target well within sight via a stand of 49, and while no local batsmna passed 50, solid contributions down the order reaped a comfortable victory.

NSW are now out of contention for the final, having won only one of seven matches so far.