Tigers fight back after Mash and Jewell star

Tasmania 0 for 37 trail Victoria 9 for 283 dec (Mash 88, Jewell 76, Butterworth 4-51)
Scorecard

Luke Butterworth's four wickets helped Tasmania save face after Nick Jewell and Lloyd Mash threatened to make a mockery of the Tigers' decision to send Victoria in at Hobart. The Bushrangers' middle order failed to capitalise on the cracking start and at stumps Tasmania were 0 for 37 in reply to Victoria's 283.

The visitors had the perfect platform on which to build a huge first-innings total as Mash's 88 and Jewell's 76 made Dan Marsh question his choice to field. But Butterworth and Brendan Drew rescued their skipper by taking 5 for 8 with an older ball. A late flurry from the last pair, Shane Harwood and Mick Lewis, encouraged David Hussey to declare and give his bowlers a shot at the Tasmania openers late in the day.

Mash was closing in on his maiden first-class century when he was bowled by Ben Hilfenhaus. Soon afterwards Butterworth, in his second Pura Cup match, began his devastating spell and finished with 4 for 51 and with assistance from Drew (3 for 72) watched the Bushrangers stumble from 4 for 240 to 9 for 248.

The home team began well through Michael Dighton, who earned six boundaries as he raced to 28 not out from the eight overs Tasmania faced. A win for Victoria would regain them top spot on the Pura Cup table while the fifth-placed Tigers also remain in contention to make the final.