Gulbis ton all but ends South Australia's season

Tasmania 8 for 507 (Gulbis 156*, Cosgrove 110, Paine 87, Dunk 72, Sayers 4-118) lead South Australia 212 by 295 runs
Scorecard

Evan Gulbis' maiden first-class century has left South Australia needing a miracle if they are to reach the Sheffield Shield final for the first time since 1995-96. The Redbacks entered the last round of matches equal on points with New South Wales and Western Australia, although the Warriors had one extra win; after two days of all matches, the Blues were on top over the Warriors and Queensland also had a chance of jumping up into contention.

At stumps on the second day in Hobart, Tasmania were 8 for 507 with Gulbis still at the crease on 156, having just lost his partner Ben Hilfenhaus for 30. The Tigers had batted all day and had a huge lead of 295 runs, which meant South Australia would need an almost unprecedented second-innings turnaround to claim the victory they would need to reach the decider.

Tasmania began the morning on 2 for 145 and although Chadd Sayers was able to deny Ben Dunk (72) a century, nobody was able to prevent Mark Cosgrove from reaching triple figures. Cosgrove was eventually lbw to Sayers for 110 but a hefty partnership between Gulbis and Tim Paine scuppered South Australia's hopes of getting through the Tasmania lower order cheaply.

They put on 190 for the seventh wicket before Paine was bowled by Trent Lawford for 87, but Hilfenhaus then joined Gulbis for a 79-run partnership. Gulbis, a 27-year-old allrounder who moved from Victoria to Tasmania for greater opportunities two summers ago, previously had a highest score of 80 but struck 21 fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 156.