Late collapse follows powerful partnership for Tigers

A powerful partnership today catapulted Tasmania to a 122-run after day two of the Pura Cup cricket match against South Australia.

But the Redbacks staged an 11th-hour comeback, taking four wickets for just eight runs at Bellerive Oval in the closing session of play.

The Tigers were 8-358 at stumps, well clear of the visitors' first innings total of 236.

When former skipper Jamie Cox and allrounder Shane Watson came to the crease this morning, Tasmania was 1-39.

By lunch, Cox and a hard-hitting Watson had amassed 114 runs.

Their partnership continued into the second session, lasting almost four hours and yielding 213 runs in total.

When the Redbacks finally broke through to claim Cox as their second wicket on the fifth ball of the 77th over, the Tigers were four runs ahead.

Relieved of the pressures of captaincy, Cox has rediscovered his form.

Indeed, one of the reasons he relinquished the position this season was to concentrate on being "No.1 batter again."

The 34-year-old scored his 30th first-class century before being caught at square leg for 119 by 12th man Trent Kelly off a ball from left-arm orthodox spinner Mark Higgs.

Watson, meanwhile, waved his bat triumphantly when he brought up his century with 13 fours and one six that sailed across mid-wicket on the last ball before lunch.

En route, he clocked up his 1,000th first-class run after starting the day 80 runs shy.

Watson, who is confined to the crease because of a back injury, was caught by keeper Graham Manou off a ball from Mark Cleary.

Cleary also despatched Michael Dighton LBW for 21 and added Damien Wright (five) to his tally.

He then bowled Xavier Doherty for a golden duck.

The right-arm fast bowler was denied a hat-trick by Adam Griffith, who defended the delivery.

But Cleary still managed to finish with a tidy 4-83.

Paul Rofe, meanwhile, took Sean Clingeleffer for a duck and caught and bowled Michael Di Venuto for 50.

Tigers captain Dan Marsh was 37 not out at stumps, with Adam Griffith yet to score.

Play resumes at 11am (AEST) tomorrow.