Hilfenhaus helps Tigers close in on victory

Tasmania 337 and 0 for 25 trail South Australia 139 and 269 (Adcock 59, Hilfenhaus 4-81) by 46 runs
Scorecard

Ben Hilfenhaus led Tasmania one step closer to a place in the Pura Cup final as they almost beat a listless South Australia within three days. The Tigers were 0 for 25 at stumps, needing a further 47 runs for victory.

South Australia nearly doubled their total from the first innings with 269 in the second as Nathan Adcock showed some fight with 59. However, the Redbacks' problem with players capitalising on their starts continued as Callum Ferguson, Mark Cosgrove, Shane Deitz and Darren Lehmann all fell in the 25 to 40 range.

Hilfenhaus broke through the resistance with 4 for 81 and Jason Krejza removed Ferguson and Cosgrove within five runs of each other. Ferguson's dismissal was especially frustrating for the home side as he played on trying to pull a Krejza long-hop on 40.

Michael Di Venuto was unlikely to bat in Tasmania's chase of 72 after he appeared to dislocate the ring finger on his left hand when he dived for a catch at slip. It was the only down-side for the Tigers, who could jump four points clear of New South Wales. Tasmania face the Blues at Hobart next week in what might be a battle for the right to host the final.