Gillespie makes promising return from injury
HOBART, Jan 26 AAP - Jason Gillespie made an eye-catching return from injury today but his presence failed to save South Australia from another batting embarrassment in its ING Cup match against Tasmania in Hobart.
John Polack
26-Jan-2003
HOBART, Jan 26 AAP - Jason Gillespie made an eye-catching return from injury today but his presence failed to save South Australia from another batting embarrassment in its ING Cup match against Tasmania in Hobart.
Just over a week after being routed for 83 in Brisbane, the Redbacks again reset their state's lowest total in domestic one-day cricket as they were skittled for 51 to hand Tasmania a whopping 140-run win.
It was also the smallest team score in interstate limited overs history, wiping out Western Australia's mark of 59 in 1969/70 from the record books.
"There are no excuses for being bowled out for 51," lamented South Australian captain Darren Lehmann after the match.
"We were totally outplayed. Our play was pathetic really."
In a match that was slow to take shape after Tasmanian captain Jamie Cox won the toss, the home team's total of 191 had initially looked inadequate.
But new ball bowlers Adam Griffith (3-14 from 10 overs) and Damien Wright (2-14 off 7 overs) quickly stepped in to ruin the contest and prolong an unbeaten record for Tasmania that stretches back to mid-December.
Assisted by attacking fields, fine catching and a Bellerive Oval pitch that supplied sufficient variability in bounce to displease both sides, the pairs' line and length proved irresistible.
But they were also helped by impatient batting in a display that saw seven wickets tumble for the addition of just 12 runs in the middle stages of the innings.
None of the Redbacks batsmen stumbled on the mix of graft and craft necessary for the situation and Greg Blewett's 13 represented the only score in double figures.
Gillespie, returning to action for the first time since damaging elbow ligaments three weeks ago, earlier claimed 1-28 from 10 outstanding overs as the South Australians made a promising start.
His bowling was both economical and hostile and dispelled any lingering doubts about his readiness for next month's World Cup tournament.
But he was ultimately upstaged by his own batsmen whose meek surrender allowed Tasmania to rocket into second place on the ING Cup points table.