Tasmania face herculean task
Tasmania made a bold declaration, 245 runs in arrears, but Victoria were in complete control by close of play on the third day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Wisden Cricinfo staff
18-Feb-2004
Victoria 494 and 2 for 104 (Elliott 63*) lead Tasmania 7 for 249 decl. (Dighton 50; Warne 2-49) by 349 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
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Matthew Elliott: in such good form that he could do it one-handed |
Tasmania made a bold declaration, 245 runs in arrears, but Victoria were in complete control by close of play on the third day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. With Matthew Elliott once again mining his rich vein of form, they were 2 for 104, a lead of 349, with Tasmania requiring a Herculean effort to salvage anything from the match.
Gerald Denton had given Tasmania some hope, by bowling Matthew Mott for 0, and then having Brad Hodge caught in the gully for just nine (2 for 33), but Elliott and Jonathan Moss saw Victoria through to stumps with few alarms.
Tasmania had declared their innings closed at tea, with the scoreboard showing 7 for 249, in response to Victoria's 494. Michael Dighton top-scored with 50, while Shane Warne (2-49) was unable to add to his tally. Mick Lewis took 2 for 65.
Tasmania are currently second behind Victoria in the Pura Cup standing, but a defeat here would leave them precariously placed, with both New South Wales and Queensland capable of sneaking past them during the final round of games.