Harris stands up to give Redbacks some bite

Tasmania 5 for 228 (Di Venuto 73, Marsh 50*, R Harris 4-59) trail South Australia 344 (D Harris 120, Deitz 59, Hilfenhaus 4-80) by 116 runs
Scorecard

Ryan Harris captured four wickets as his impressive bowling kept South Australia in with a good chance of taking first-innings points from Tasmania. The Tigers were 5 for 228 at stumps after Harris' 4 for 59 caused most of the damage as the Redbacks defended 344.

Di Venuto's 73 was the wood Tasmania used to build a useful start, but they suffered a couple of problems when he departed as the third Harris victim. With his Australian retirement approaching, Di Venuto showed why he has been one of the country's most accomplished state batsmen, striking 14 boundaries during his 113-ball stay.

George Bailey (32) also fell to Harris, playing on attempting to pull, and Luke Butterworth slipped against Paul Rofe, who deserved the breakthrough. Dan Marsh stabilised the situation with 50 not out and will be a crucial figure on the third morning.

Tasmania's chase started poorly when David Dawson edged Harris to third slip shortly before lunch and a looming interval also did for Travis Birt, who departed to a nick behind with tea approaching. Birt hit seven fours in his 48 and combined in a brisk second-wicket stand of 112 in 30.2 overs with Di Venuto.

Ben Hilfenhaus finished off the Redbacks in the first session by taking 4 for 80, his best return of a season which started on tour with Australia's limited-overs teams. Since then he has struggled for regular penetration and the additions of Dan Cullen and Rofe closed the innings.

Daniel Harris contributed a single to his overnight 119 before he was caught at point from the bowling of Butterworth. South Australia had started on 6 for 284 and had to rely on Jason Gillespie's unbeaten 29 and 33 from Ryan Harris to drag them higher. Butterworth and Brett Geeves, who dismissed Harris, picked up three wickets each.