Tasmania fall short in thrilling finale

Western Australia 437 and 5 for 329 dec (Rogers 120, Goodwin 104*)drew with Tasmania 380 and 7 for 386 (Marsh 111*, Dighton 88) with the scores tied
Scorecard

Daniel Marsh led a blistering offensive to guide Tasmania within one run of an extraordinary Pura Cup victory over Western Australia at the WACA. Andrew Downton needed two runs off the last ball but managed just a single as Tasmania fell an agonising one run short of their victory target of 387 in 75 overs.

Marsh had guided them towards an unlikely win with an unbeaten 111 off 95 balls, but his efforts counted for nothing as WA had already claimed the first-innings points. The match, in which the scores were tied, was declared a draw for the purpose of points.

Marsh's efforts were countered by an extraordinary debut performance from Ben Edmondson, a Queenslander who arrived in Perth only five days ago. He was handed the responsibility of bowling the last over of the day with Tasmania requiring seven runs to win. Edmondson, who finished with 3 for 47, was a shock selection today, brought in to replace Brad Williams who left midway through the afternoon to report for Test duty in Adelaide.

Bowling the final over to the red-hot Marsh, Edmondson managed a dot ball, and then a short one which Marsh top-edged into his face. Edmondson kept his cool, and Marsh had another swing and miss before bottom-edging a four past his leg stump off the fourth delivery. Just when things looked bleak for WA Marsh nudged a single to short man to put Downton on strike. Downton moved across his stumps in extravagant fashion but only tickled it to leg, and there was no chance of the winning run.

The match had appeared to be drifting towards a draw by tea, with Tasmania 3 for 138, still needing 249 runs from 37 overs. But a fifth-wicket stand of 128 runs off 110 balls between Marsh and Michael Dighton (88) kick-started the innings and set up the gripping finale.

Western Australia had batted on for most of the morning, with Williams grabbing the early wickets of Jamie Cox (11) and Scott Mason (13) before hot-footing it for the airport. Some balls kept low and others deviated wildly on a deteriorating wicket, but Williams was unable to add any more wickets before his departure. He was replaced, in accordance with Pura Cup rules, by Edmondson.

Murray Goodwin completed his hundred shortly before Western Australia declared, and the epic run-chase started.