Tigers pounce on sorry South Australia

Tasmania 2 for 149 (Di Venuto 78) lead South Australia 139 (Butterworth 4-39) by 10 runs
Scorecard

Tasmania experienced a perfect start in their plan to make the Pura Cup final as they captured two points before stumps on the first day against a dreadful South Australia. After a horrible collapse of 9 for 53 dropped the home side for 139, Tasmania, who started the game equal with the leaders New South Wales, eased to 2 for 149 through Michael Di Venuto's speedy 78.

Having won the toss and batted, Darren Lehmann would have been pleased with the Redbacks' position when he guided them to 1 for 86. However, Jason Borgas was taken at short leg and Lehmann (34) had not added to the score when he slipped against the occasional bowling of Michael Dighton.

Callum Ferguson scraped to 29, but the rest of the order could not reach double figures and Luke Butterworth mopped up with 4 for 39. Butterworth finished the innings by taking Dan Cullen and Paul Rofe in consecutive balls while Jason Krejza and Brendan Drew collected two wickets each.

South Australia were unable to match their opponents' productivity and Cullen's removal of Tim Paine for 26 was their first breakthrough. Di Venuto, who struck nine fours and a six in his 85-ball display, was run-out by the bowler Cullen Bailey's direct hit from a drive and by the close Tasmania had a 10-run lead.