Tait forces tie for South Australia

Tasmania 8 for 171 (Bevan 54) tied with South Australia 5 for 160 (Lehmann 56*) under the D/L method
Scorecard

For once in a career studded with memorable one-day run chases, Michael Bevan could not quite guide his team to victory as Tasmania and South Australia played out a tie, under the Duckworth-Lewis method, at the Adelaide Oval. A lengthy rain break resulted in Tasmania chasing an adjusted target of 172 in 35 overs, and while Bevan and George Bailey were together it was well within their grasp. But Shaun Tait, in his first ING match of the season, took two wickets as the chase stalled and eventually fell just short.

Bevan and Bailey added 88 for the fourth wicket in 20.5 overs, to resurrect the Tasmanian chase. They had slumped to 3 for 38, following an incisive new-ball burst from Mark Cleary and Trent Kelly - although both bowlers were profligate with wides, sending down 17 between them.

When Bevan was trapped lbw by Dan Cullen for 54, the target was down to 13 off 14 balls. However, the new batsmen struggled to combat Tait's pace as he struck twice in three deliveries during the 34th over. Nine from the final over proved just out of reach and the points were shared.

South Australia's innings had been anchored by another batsman from Australia's recent one-day past, as Lehmann struck an unbeaten 56 off 52 balls. The rain arrived after 21 overs, to cut the match to 35 overs per side, and their total received a 12-run boost. It resulted in a thrilling finish and honours even.