NEW South Wales remains winless in the 2022/23 Sheffield Shield season, after rain ensured their clash with Tasmania would end in a draw. The inclement weather robbed either side a chance at victory on day four at the SCG, with the visitors chasing 287 and the hosts requiring 10 wickets to force a result.

The Blues advanced the game nicely on day three to manufacture a winning position, declaring on 1-105 in their second dig to have eight overs at Tasmania’s top order before the close of play. Tim Ward (4) and Caleb Jewell (1) survived, but rain prevented the action from getting back underway the following morning.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, the hosts were fronted by opener Dan Hughes in the first innings, who compiled 178 with support from the likes of Kurtis Patterson (56) and Jason Sangha (54). Allrounder Chris Green (59) also notched up a half-century and remained unbeaten as the Blues declared eight down for 417.

In reply, the Tigers played themselves into trouble at 5-89, but battled to 236 via the agency of Ben McDermott (50) and big Beau Webster (75*). Their exploits meant NSW had to take a few risks, though the Blues did so with few issues as Hughes (63*) again steered the ship at a good clip.

The drawn game means New South Wales continues to occupy bottom spot on the Shield ladder, while Tasmania remains among a four-team squeeze for second spot, with two wins in the bank. The Tigers’ next Shield game is against ladder leader, Western Australia on February 21, and NSW will be in action on the same day against Queensland.

SCORECARD

TOSS: New South Wales won the toss and elected to bat.
RESULT: New South Wales (8-417 & 1d-105) drew w/ Tasmania (236 & 0-6).
POTM: Daniel Hughes (New South Wales)

1st Innings (New South Wales 8d-417)
Daniel Hughes 178 (337), Chris Green 59* (73), Curtis Patterson 56 (134)
Peter Siddle 2-55 (21), Nathan Ellis 2-58 (23), Jarrod Freeman 2-100 (39)

2nd Innings (Tasmania 236)
Beau Webster 75* (150), Ben McDermott 50 (148), Nathan Ellis 20 (53)
Sean Abbott 3-40 (22), Adam Zampa 3-41 (18), Chris Tremain 2-41 (17)

New South Wales led by 181 runs

3rd Innings (New South Wales 1d-105)
Daniel Hughes 63* (78), Blake Nikitaras 21 (38), Moises Henriques 20* (34)
Jarrod Freeman 1-34 (7), Beau Webster 0-24 (6), Nathan Ellis 0-29 (7)

New South Wales led by 286 runs

4th Innings (Tasmania 0-6)

Match drawn

DREW’S DOUBLE-TON SETS UP REDBACKS BOILOVER

South Australia handed Western Australia its first loss of the 2022/23 Sheffield Shield season on Monday, defeating the Warriors by 164 runs at Adelaide Oval. Redbacks batter Daniel Drew was named player of the match for his unbeaten 208 in the first innings, after his side was sent in to bat.

Pivoted by Drew at first drop, the hosts declared on 7-438 with Henry Hunt (62) and Nathan McAndrew (56*) peeling off handy half-centuries. In reply, the Warriors were skittled for 162 as McAndrew and Wes Agar snared three poles apiece.

The Redbacks added 191 runs before declaring six wickets down in their second dig, this time spearheaded by an unbeaten 104 from Nathan McSweeney. With 3-38 (14), Matthew Kelly was the pick of the Warriors’ bowlers, but they remained well behind the ledger.

Set 467 for an unlikely victory, the equation was simple on day four. WA sought 329 more runs, while SA needed to take the remaining eight wickets. Cameron Bancroft (80) and Hilton Cartwright (50) resumed on the final day, and while they top-scored, fell well short of putting enough runs on the board.

McAndrew again got to work with 4-73 but Brendan Doggett (3-63) robbed him of a five-wicket haul as the West Australian tail was swiftly swept up. The Warriors’ total of 303 represented a good fight, though they could not avoid their first loss of the season. They remain clear atop the Sheffield Shield ladder, while SA jumped to third and remains in final contention.

SCORECARD

TOSS: Western Australia won the toss and elected to bowl.
RESULT: South Australia (7d-438 & 6d-191) def. Western Australia (162 & 303)
POTM: Daniel Drew (South Australia)

1st Innings (South Australia 7d-438)
Daniel Drew 208* (345), Henry Hunt 62 (144), Nathan McAndrew 56* (59)
Charlie Stobo 3-54 (27), Matthew Kelly 2-57 (26), Corey Rocchiccioli 1-135 (32)

2nd Innings (Western Australia 162)
Marcus Stoinis 56 (68), Charlie Stobo 31* (59), Cameron Bancroft 27 (70)
Nathan McAndrew 3-51 (14), Wes Agar 3-54 (17), Ben Manenti 2-17 (7)

South Australia led by 276 runs

3rd Innings (South Australia 6d-191)
Nathan McSweeney 104* (131), Henry Hunt 27 (55), Thomas Kelly 18 (43)
Matthew Kelly 3-38 (14), Marcus Stoinis 1-27 (7), Corey Rocchiccioli 1-63 (12)

South Australia led by 467 runs

4th Innings (Western Australia 303)
Cameron Bancroft 80 (159), Hilton Cartwright 50 (107), Josh Inglis 43 (67)
Nathan McAndrew 4-73 (28), Brendan Doggett 3-63 (21.2), Wes Agar 2-69 (23)

South Australia won by 164 runs