TASMANIA has strengthened its hold on top spot in the Sheffield Shield, after a four-wicket win over Queensland at The Gabba yesterday. Jordan Silk (84*) guided the Tigers home in a successful chase of 224, finishing the job alongside Mitchell Owen (29*).

Owen sealed the win with a huge six off Michael Neser to put style points on his cameo at number eight. Earlier in the day, Bulls batter Jack Clayton weathered illness to notch a fighting century in his side’s second innings. He made 102 of Queensland’s 160 runs in a lone hand.

Meanwhile, Gabe Bell tore through the Bulls’ middle and lower order for figures of 6-39. He finished with 10 wickets overall to take out Player of the Match honours. Billy Stanlake (4-38) was also integral in restricting the hosts’ ability to post a more formidable score.

>> SCROLL for scorecards from all three matches

Down in Melbourne, the match between Victoria and South Australia has ventured into its fourth day. The home side was set 156 runs to win and made inroads late on day three, requiring 108 runs at the close of play. Early on day four, the Vics have already lost two wickets with under 100 left to get.

South Australia made a better fist of its second batting innings, posting 271 despite Fergus O’Neill‘s five-wicket haul. Harry Nielsen (67) and Henry Hunt (54) both notched half-centuries while Scott Boland returned to the bowling crease after being hampered by a knee injury.

Youngster Campbell Kellaway and captain Peter Handscomb are currently out in the middle, hoping to keep Victoria’s hopes of a top two finish alive. Looking to play spoiler for the Redbacks are Brendan Doggett (2-17) and Nathan McAndrew (2-28), who made early breakthroughs.

The situation is just as straightforward in New South Wales’ clash with Western Australia at the WACA. After being set 181 runs for victory, the Blues whittled it down to 105 at stumps on day three with nine wickets in hand. Blake Nikitaras (39) and Daniel Hughes (27) will resume play today.

While a first innings lead looked probable for the visitors, they fell five runs short yesterday but bounced back quickly to roll the Warriors for 176. Chris Green starred with figures of 6-83 and will hope he isn’t required in the final day chase – due to come in at number eight.

>> Refresher: 2023/24 Sheffield Shield

SCORECARDS

QUEENSLAND vs. TASMANIA
The Gabba, Brisbane

1st Innings: 10-282 (84.4)
Ben McDermott 146* (218), Michael Neser 47 (75), Jack Clayton 26 (66)
Gabe Bell 4-40 (14), Billy Stanlake 4-50 (19.4), Jarrod Freeman 2-74 (21)

2nd Innings: 10-219 (59.4)
Caleb Jewell 37 (79), Charlie Wakim 35 (66), Beau Webster 28 (31)
Mark Steketee 4-58 (14.4), Gurinder Sandhu 2-37 (13), Liam Guthrie 2-50 (10)

Queensland led by 63 runs.

3rd Innings: Queensland 10-160 (57.2)
Jack Clayton 102 (181), Ben McDermott 16 (30), Liam Guthrie 8 (46)
Gabe Bell 6-39 (19), Billy Stanlake 4-38 (14.2), Jarrod Freeman 0-20 (10)

Queensland leads by 223 runs.

4th Innings: Tasmania 6-228 (56.3)
Jordan Silk 84* (158), Charlie Wakim 36 (52), Mitchell Owen 29* (15)
Gurinder Sandhu 2-47 (14), Mark Steketee 2-65 (16), Michael Neser 1-33 (8.3)

Tasmania won by 4 wickets.

VICTORIA vs. SOUTH AUSTRALIA
CitiPower Centre, Melbourne

Stumps, Day 3

1st Innings: South Australia 10-173 (70.3)
Ben Manenti 47* (62), Harry Nielsen 45 (96), Jake Lehmann 37 (40)
Mitchell Perry 3-43 (15), Xavier Crone 3-46 (9.3), Fergus O’Neill 2-21 (20)

2nd Innings: Victoria: 10-288 (88.3)
Nic Maddinson 104 (182), Sam Harper 46 (64), Mitchell Perry 38 (80)
Liam Scott 4-18 (12.3), Wes Agar 2-61 (16), Brendan Doggett 2-78 (20)

Victoria led by 115 runs.

3rd Innings: South Australia 10-271 (83.2)
Harry Nielsen 67 (91), Henry Hunt 54 (94), Nathan McAndrew 43 (96)
Fergus O’Neill 5-47 (20.2), Todd Murphy 3-54 (18), Scott Boland 2-35 (16)

South Australia led by 156 runs.

4th Innings: Victoria 2-49 (14)

Victoria requires 108 runs to win with 8 wickets remaining.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA vs. NEW SOUTH WALES
WACA Ground, Perth

Stumps, Day 3

1st Innings: Western Australia 10-256 (88.0)
Sam Whiteman 107 (188), Josh Philippe 52* (76), Cameron Bancroft 42 (100)
Chris Green 3-33 (16), Jackson Bird 3-37 (20), Jack Edwards 2-53 (17)

2nd Innings: New South Wales 7-244 (96.0)
Moises Henriques 95 (210), Blake Nikitaras 34 (108), Jack Edwards 34 (88)
Corey Rocchiccioli 4-101 (33.4), Charlie Stobo 3-38 (27), Joel Paris 3-45 (22)

Western Australia led by 5 runs.

3rd Innings: Western Australia 10-176 (56.5)
Cameron Bancroft 36 (108), Corey Rocchiccioli 28 (11), Sam Whiteman 27 (68)
Chris Green 6-83 (20), Liam Hatcher 2-26 (6.5), Chris Tremain 2-28 (13)

Western Australia led by 181 runs.

4th Innings: New South Wales 1-77 (28.0)

NSW requires 105 runs with 9 wickets remaining.