Pattinson shows fine style before Bushrangers slip

Victoria 535 and 5 for 59 (Geeves 3-22) lead Tasmania 300 (Bailey 130*, Wells 98, Pattinson 5-39) by 294 runs
Scorecard
Points table

Darren Pattinson fell quickly following his surprise Test appearance for England last year, but he reminded Victoria of his potential with five wickets as they stayed on top of Tasmania until a late slump. The Bushrangers, who will host the final on March 13, did not enforce the follow-on and Brett Geeves made them wobble to 5 for 59 at stumps.

While Pattinson is playing officially as an overseas player, he has been bred as a Bushranger and is appearing in his second Sheffield Shield match of the summer. A fast-bowling injury epidemic led to a recall and his push for further opportunities was successful as he picked up 5 for 39 off 24 overs in Tasmania's first innings of 300. He was the main reason the Tigers struggled in response to Victoria's 535, despite the strong efforts of George Bailey and Jonathan Wells.

Bailey remained unbeaten on 130 and Wells (98) was the only other batsman to pass 16. After Bailey and Wells, who resumed at 2 for 82, made it to lunch without losing a wicket, Pattinson entered with four breakthroughs with the second new ball. Wells was bowled, Dan Marsh was lbw for 3 and Luke Butterworth and an unhappy Jason Krejza went in consecutive balls. John Hastings and Steve Gilmour finished off the innings and collected two wickets each.

In Victoria's second bat Chris Rogers went in the third over, Nick Jewell slipped against Gerard Denton and Geeves added David Hussey and Brad Hodge to his collection of 3 for 22. When Krejza bowled Rob Quiney for 16 it ensured an interesting final morning, but the visitors are still in charge with a 294-run buffer and the captain Cameron White at the crease.