Tasmania jump to top with easy win

Tasmania 337 and 2 for 72 (Birt 30*, Cullen 2-29) beat South Australia 139 and 269 by 8 wickets
Scorecard

Tasmania cruised to top spot on the Pura Cup table with a comfortable eight-wicket victory over South Australia at Adelaide. The Tigers took just over 40 minutes to add the 47 runs they needed although Dan Cullen grabbed the chance for some bowling practice, claiming two wickets.

The visitors reached 2 for 72 and Travis Birt made sure the small chase was successful, compiling an unbeaten 30 to sit alongside his first-innings 102. George Bailey, captaining Tasmania for the first time in a first-class match, was with Birt when the winning runs were struck.

Cullen finished with 2 for 29 after bowling Michael Dighton for 9 and enticing Tim Paine (27) to nudge a catch to silly point. His efforts were little comfort for South Australia, who are in danger of ending the season winless with only a home game against Western Australia remaining.

Tasmania are now in prime position to host the Pura Cup final for the first time, depending on the result of their match against New South Wales at Hobart next week. Ben Hilfenhaus, who took four wickets in the Redbacks' second innings, said he was confident the Tigers could finish the season on top.

"It's pretty tight with the table," Hilfenhaus told the Sunday Tasmanian at the close of day three. "All we've got to do is go out next week at home against the Blues and repeat the performance we've given here."