Redbacks set for unusual declaration

HOBART, Feb 28 AAP - South Australia will be tempted to make an attacking declaration at Bellerive Oval tomorrow in their desperate pursuit of an outright win over Tasmania.

Rain stopped the Redbacks taking the field at all today and forecasts of showers for tomorrow threaten to prevent play again.

The Tigers scored 285 in their first innings on day one yesterday.

In reply at stumps on day one, SA were 2-17.

With an outright win essential for the Redbacks' hopes of making the Pura Cup final, SA could be forced to declare short of the Tigers' total and hope Tasmania would set a target for them to chase.

Play was officially abandoned today at 5.05pm (AEDT) and scheduled to resume at 10.30am tomorrow in an effort to make up time lost.

Tigers fast-bowler Gerard Denton bagged openers Shane Deitz (5) and David Fitzgerald (9) in successive overs yesterday for figures of two for nine.

Nightwatchman Mark Cleary was not out on one at stumps, with skipper Greg Blewett yet to score.