Alex Pyecroft impresses on debut as Tasmania take charge

Four wickets to Gabe Bell and three to debutant Alex Pyecroft has given Tasmania the upper hand against South Australia at Bellerive in Hobart.

The Redbacks were bowled out for just 136 on day two, with only four players reaching double figures, to concede a first innings deficit of 49 before the Tigers cruised to 3 for 120 in their second innings.

Test incumbent Travis Head was the only Redbacks batsman to provide any lengthy resistance making 49, while Jake Lehmann contributed 28.

Bell started the rot removing Jake Weatherald and Callum Ferguson with two cracking deliveries as the surface continued to aid the seam bowlers.

Pyecroft, 26, took his first Sheffield Shield wicket claiming Conor McInerney caught and bowled. Head and Lehmann then steadied with a 63-run stand before Pyecroft again intervened with Lehmann edging to first slip.

That triggered a collapse as South Australia lost 4 for 7 in 18 deliveries with Pyecroft and Jackson Bird taking two wickets each. Head stood firm reaching 49 from 100 balls before he was given out caught behind attempting to cut. He was none too pleased with the umpire's decision. The Redbacks were all out inside 52 overs with Bell returning to claim the last two scalps.

The Tigers second innings started poorly. Alex Doolan was trapped infront by Daniel Worrall in the third over, but Ben McDermott and Jordan Silk put together and 85-run stand to increase the lead. McDermott became the first player in the match to reach fifty, but he fell shortly after edging Worrall to the keeper.

Jake Doran was also caught behind off the third last ball of the day to Worrall. George Bailey copped a nasty blow on the thumb first ball, the penultimate of the day, but he survived the last from Worrall. Silk remained 49 not out and Tasmania will look to extend their lead on day three.