Buckingham's five secure South Australia upset victory over Tasmania
Tasmania were already assured of a place in the Shield final but faced losing hosting rights
AAP
13-Mar-2024
Jordan Buckingham helped run through Tasmania • Getty Images
South Australia 271 (McSweeney 117) and 175 (Nielsen 53) beat Tasmania 123 (McAndrew 6-44, Doggett 4-36) and 189 (Webster 68, Buckingham 5-64) by 134 runs
Tasmania's hopes of hosting the Sheffield Shield were shattered after they suffered a shock 134-run loss to South Australia inside three days.
Chasing 324 for victory at Blundstone Arena in Hobart, Tasmania were bowled out for 189 midway through play on Wednesday. Although ladder-leading Tasmania entered the match knowing their spot in the Shield final was already guaranteed, they needed a win to seal hosting rights.
The loss meant defending champions Western Australia could snatch hosting rights if they beat Victoria which they duly did later in the day. The final will take place from March 21-25 at the WACA.
South Australia produced a superb bowling display to secure just their third win of the season. Jordan Buckingham ripped through Tasmania's top order, while Brendan Doggett and Nathan McAndrew were also crucial.
Tasmania resumed play on Wednesday at 8 for 1 following Matthew Wade's late dismissal at the hands of Buckingham on Tuesday. Buckingham struck again on the third ball on Wednesday to dismiss Caleb Jewell for 11, caught at third slip. Tasmania were reeling at 18 for 3 after Gabe Bell was trapped lbw by McAndrew for a duck.
It was no laughing matter for Tasmania when Jordan Silk was dismissed for 14 by Doggett, but the dismissal itself brought about plenty of laughter. Doggett was initially left despondent after his appeal for lbw fell on deaf ears, but what the paceman didn't realise was the ball had actually clipped and dislodged a bail.
It wasn't until a laughing team-mate dragged him to an unblocked view of the stumps that Doggett realised what had happened.
All hope appeared lost when Buckingham induced an edge from Charlie Wakim to leave Tasmania floundering at 61 for 5.
A 60-run partnership between Jake Doran and Beau Webster got Tasmania to lunch without further loss, but the wheels quickly fell off after the break.
Doran was out when his attempted heave only managed to edge Doggett to slip. Webster continued to battle hard, but the loss of Bradley Hope and Jarrod Freeman reduced Tasmania to 158 for 8, still needing 166 more runs for victory.
The contest was effectively over when Webster edged Doggett behind, with Buckingham securing a well-deserved five-wicket haul when he bowled Kieran Elliott to wrap up victory.