Faulkner helps Tasmania hold on for draw

James Faulkner was the key to Tasmania clinging on for a draw in their Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia in Hobart, where the final day ended with the Warriors still two wickets short of victory. Set an unlikely 325 to win, Tasmania finished at 8 for 215 with Faulkner on 63 and Sam Rainbird having survived 40 deliveries without scoring.

The Tasmania openers made a solid start with a 69-run partnership that ended in the 19th over when Jordan Silk was out lbw to Andrew Tye. Alex Doolan followed for 8 when he was bowled by Simon Mackin and Ed Cowan was then caught off Tye for 40, which gave Western Australia a sniff of running through the order.

Jon Wells and Faulkner steadied through the middle before Wells fell for 43 to Mackin, who ended up with 4 for 36. Faulkner and Rainbird were able to hold on for the draw, the 71-over innings not quite enough for the Warriors to dismiss the Tigers. Western Australia had declared at 6 for 270 earlier in the day, with Adam Voges unbeaten on 109, after they added 97 to their overnight score.