Gulbis makes history in massive Tasmania victory

Evan Gulbis made the second highest first-class score for a No.8 batsman - after Wasim Akram's 257 against Zimbabwe at Sheikhupura in 1996 - and then took 4 for 7 to spearhead Tasmania's innings-and-316-run victory against South Australia in Hobart. Needing 439 to make Tasmania bat again, South Australia were dismissed for 123 in 47.1 overs in their second innings.

Tasmania began the third day at Bellerive Oval on 8 for 507 in their first innings, with Gulbis resuming on 156. He found a steady partner in Xavier Doherty, who contributed 43 to an 84-run stand for the ninth wicket. Gulbis then took his team past 600 with a 60-run stand with last man Jackson Bird, and became only the fifth double-centurion at No. 8 - and the first Australian - in first class cricket. Before this innings of 229 off 293 balls, Gulbis had scored only 217 runs in 17 first-class innings, with a high score of 80. His record-breaking effort led Tasmania to 651.

Having been on the field for 168.5 overs, South Australia made a steady start to their second innings, with their openers adding 59. It was their largest partnership. Gulbis made the first breakthrough for Tasmnaia, dismissing Sam Raphael for 30. He then returned to take the last three wickets in the space of four balls to end the match. In between Gulbis' strikes, Luke Butterworth wrecked the South Australia middle order with three rapid wickets, finishing with 3 for 18 in 11 overs.