Webster falls cheaply as O'Neill stars in Victoria's victory

Test allrounder Beau Webster failed again with the bat in Tasmania's 144-run loss to Victoria in the Sheffield Shield.

Webster made just 6 as Tasmania, chasing 335 runs to win, were bowled out for 210 on day four at Melbourne's Junction Oval on Friday.

Victoria remain unbeaten with three wins from as many games, and paceman Fergus O'Neill enhanced his national call-up prospects with a haul of 4 for 54.

Webster entered the game with heat on his Australian place ahead of national selectors naming their squad for the first Test against England. His meagre returns with the bat followed taking 1 for 26 from 12 overs in Victoria's first innings, and 0 for 28 from 11 overs in their second.

Before Friday's play, both teams observed a minute's silence for Victorian teen cricketer Ben Austin, who died after being struck on the head while batting in the nets.

Tasmania resumed after losing another Ashes hopeful, Jake Weatherald, for 12 late on Thursday. And his opening partner Caleb Jewell was the first batter dismissed on Friday, bowled by O'Neill for 21.

Tim Ward and Brad Hope put on 48 for the third wicket, but their stand ended with the score on 107. Ward, who made a polished 52, was run out in a horrible mix-up - as non-striker, he advanced for a single while Hope stood still after fending a short ball. Ward was almost three-quarters down the pitch when he slipped while trying to turn, and was still on his haunches when run out.

Victoria struck again just four runs later when veteran Jordan Silk was bowled for a duck when shouldering arms to a Will Sutherland in-dipper.

Webster departed just 14 runs later when caught from the bowling of Mitchell Perry, slashing at a wide ball and being caught at deep backward point.

Jake Doran and Nikhil Chaudhary offered some resistance, before Victoria secured victory inside the final hour.