Siddle slides Victoria to three-day success

Victoria 399 and 2 for 47 beat Tasmania 168 & 277 (Paine 62, Birt 60, Siddle 5-61) by 8 wickets
Scorecard
Points table

Peter Siddle earned five wickets as Victoria secured an easy victory over Tasmania that extended their Pura Cup lead to six points. Siddle sparked the collapse that ended Tasmania's chances of saving the match and he returned to finish them off as they were dismissed for 277, leaving the visitors needing 47.

Ben Hilfenhaus gave Victoria a scare, capturing Nick Jewell and Rob Quiney to drop them to 2 for 2, but David Hussey's 31 got them home before dark and saved them from coming back on the fourth day. Tim Paine and Jason Krejza had forced the Bushrangers to stay a little longer after rebuilding from 6 for 123.

Siddle, who had extra responsibilities due to Shane Harwood's groin injury, was responsible for starting the fall of 4 for 5 when he broke the partnership of Travis Birt and Dan Marsh, who were trying to overhaul a first-innings deficit of 231. The pair combined for 95 as they attempted to force Victoria to bat again, but Siddle cut in to remove Birt for 60 before Marsh went to a catch behind three runs later for 36.

Luke Butterworth's run out did not help the home side's situation, which worsened when Siddle had George Bailey caught smartly by Hussey at second slip. Paine and Krejza were able to avoid further embarrassment during a 116-run stand that was ended by Siddle. Krejza slipped for 49 against the new ball and Paine (62) became the third wicket of Dirk Nannes, who claimed both openers in the morning.

Siddle's second five-for of the season was sealed with Chris Duval's mistake and Victoria breezed to victory. The result did not help Tasmania's chances of making it two Pura Cup victories in a row as they slipped 20 points behind the leaders with only four games left.