Maher, Kruger seal finals berth for Tasmania
Nick Kruger booked his new side Tasmania a place in the Sheffield Shield final with a century on the first day against New South Wales in Hobart, after the Blues were rolled for their sixth-lowest Shield total of all time
ESPNcricinfo staff
03-Mar-2011
Tasmania 2 for 204 (Kruger 124*) lead New South Wales 74 (Maher 5-14, Butterworth 3-20) by 130 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
Nick Kruger booked his new side Tasmania a place in the Sheffield Shield final with a century on the first day against New South Wales in Hobart, after the Blues were rolled for their sixth-lowest Shield total of all time. Adam Maher picked up 5 for 14 and Luke Butterworth (3 for 20) continued his outstanding form to skittle New South Wales for 74, before Kruger helped the Tigers cruise to first-innings points.
That was enough to ensure they will play in the final, although New South Wales are also likely to reach the decider due to their healthy buffer from the third-placed Queensland. But they will need to lift after their effort at Bellerive, where they were sent in and quickly capitulated to Butterworth and Ben Hilfenhaus, who collected two wickets.
New South Wales were 4 for 11 and they never recovered, only just lasting until after lunch. Following the break, Kruger, who was axed by Queensland during the off season, powered to triple figures, totally dominating as Tasmania reached 2 for 204. At stumps, Kruger was unbeaten on 124 with the Tasmania captain George Bailey on 25.