Tasmania's Paine inflicts defeat on Redbacks

Tasmania 252 and 7 for 184 (Paine 69*) beat South Australia 232 and 200 by three wickets
Scorecard

Tim Paine drove Tasmania to victory in their first home match of the summer as they knocked off the 41 runs they required on the final day for the loss of just one wicket. Paine finished unbeaten on 69 and it was a terrific effort after they had fallen to 6 for 76 on the third afternoon.

They began the final day at 6 for 140, chasing 181, and the loss of Brett Geeves for 36, bowled by Shaun Tait in the second over, gave South Australia a glimmer of hope. But Paine was ably supported by the No. 9 Gerard Denton, who took 52 balls for his 9, to earn Tasmania their first win of the campaign.

Paine was the only one of Tasmania's top six to pass 20 in the small chase but he knew the tail could be useful after the last pair Denton and Ben Hilfenhaus compiled a 66-run stand in the first innings. "I had plenty of faith in those blokes," Paine told AAP after the match.

"It was obviously a crucial game for us, our first game at home, and we want to win all games here. As well as losing the first two games, it was critical we got the six points today, so it was a great result."

The loss was a major blow for South Australia, who have struggled in recent seasons and went on an international and interstate recruiting drive during the winter. They have not won any of their first three Sheffield Shield matches this summer.