THE FINAL day of Sheffield Shield action before a two-month break was full of drama, starting with South Australia’s dramatic two-run defeat of Tasmania. Chasing 429 for victory, the Tigers needed four runs off the last delivery with one wicket in hand, but a calamitous runout cost them even a draw.

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Cruising home at 6-422 in Hobart, Tasmania lost 4-4 within the final two overs to concede the equal-lowest runs loss in Shield history. Riley Meredith struck a Wes Agar yorker to deep cover and after running two – good enough for a draw – was caught short of his ground in a bizarre mixup.

Despite being carted over the rope in the second-to-last over, Nathan McAndrew breathed life into the SACA’s cause with a pair of wickets. Agar was then left to defend seven runs off the final six balls and removed Gabe Bell to send it down to the wire, where Tasmania’s self combustion was completed.

Earlier, Tim Ward compiled a breakthrough 288-ball 142 to help keep all three results in the equation. He combined with the likes of Jake Weatherald and Jordan Silk, who both struck 65, to make the draw more than likely on day four. Though, the Tigers’ lower order batters made things interesting.

Mitchell Owen‘s 53 off 39 blasted the hosts into the box seat for victory, along with a crucial knock of 69 from Brad Hope. Both were gone after Tasmania tipped the 400-mark, but they had dragged the required run rate down from more than seven an over to give their side a chance – to no avail.

SACA recruit Jason Sangha was named Player of the Match for his combined 212 runs, including 151 in the first innings after his side was sent in to bat. He tonned up alongside Henry Hunt (136) as the visitors claimed power positions by declaring in both innings.

The result sees South Australia rise to the top of the table, surpassing Victoria after the latter was felled by Queensland yesterday. Meanwhile, Tasmania has fallen to last spot having been overtaken by the Bulls with both sides laying claim to one win apiece after six matches.

EDWARDS BOWLS BLUES TO INNINGS VICTORY

Elsewhere on Monday evening, New South Wales was bowled to an innings victory over Western Australia by Jack Edwards. The Blues skipper claimed 10 wickets for the match, split evenly into two five-wicket hauls as the hosts downed the defending champions late on day four at the SCG.

WA won the toss and elected to bat, only to muster 211 in the first innings. Having been released from the Australian Test squad to get some time in the middle, Josh Inglis top-scored with 41 batting at number six as Edwards and opening partner Jackson Bird (3-48) took control.

In response, NSW compiled 9d-463 as Kurtis Patterson emphatically ended his drought of Shield centuries with an unbeaten 167. Many other Blues batters made starts, but emerging opener Sam Konstas (88) was the only other to raise the bat with a score above 50.

Trailing by 252 runs, WA looked on track to hold on for a draw at only four wickets down heading into the final session. Edwards had other ideas, claiming all five of his wickets before the 6pm deadline. The visitors’ final pair was left with 53 balls to survive but Edwards dashed their hopes with 13 to spare.

Having drawn three dramatic conclusions over the last two days, fans and players alike will have to wait until February 8 for more Sheffield Shield action as the Big Bash League takes over. Four more triple-headers will take place before the final from March 26-29.

SCORECARDS

TASMANIA vs. SOUTH AUSTRALIA

RESULT: South Australia def. Tasmania by 2 runs
POTM: Jason Sangha (South Australia)
TOSS: Tasmania won the toss and elected to bowl

1st Innings: South Australia 6d-398 (108)
Jason Sangha 151 (257), Henry Hunt 136 (297), Jake Fraser-McGurk 43 (37)
Riley Meredith 4-95 (20), Lawrence Neil-Smith 2-91 (23)

2nd Innings: Tasmania 10-203 (68.1)
Jake Doran 51 (79), Nivethan Radhakrishnan 43 (73), Mitchell Owen 30 (52)
Liam Scott 3-30 (13), Henry Thornton 3-41 (12.1), Nathan McAndrew 3-63 (19)

South Australia led by 195 runs

3rd Innings: South Australia 9d-233 (55)
Conor McInerney 75 (73), Jason Sangha 61 (92), Henry Hunt 31 (57)
Matt Kuhnemann 4-67 (20), Gabe Bell 2-41 (11), Nivethan Radhakrishnan 1-24 (6)

South Australia led by 428 runs

4th Innings: Tasmania 10-426 (113)
Tim Ward 142 (288), Brad Hope 69 (116), Jordan Silk 65 (134)
Wes Agar 3-91 (25), Nathan McAndrew 3-123 (26), Liam Scott 2-50 (19)

South Australia won by 2 runs

NEW SOUTH WALES vs. WESTERN AUSTRALIA

RESULT: New South Wales def. Western Australia by an innings and 68 runs
POTM: Jack Edwards (New South Wales)
TOSS: Western Australia won the toss and elected to bat

1st Innings: Western Australia 10-211 (67)
Josh Inglis 41 (68), Joel Curtis 34 (62), Jayden Goodwin 22 (63)
Jack Edwards 5-41 (17), Jackson Bird 3-48 (16), Tanveer Sangha 1-30 (11)

2nd Innings: New South Wales 9d-463 (134)
Kurtis Patterson 167* (255), Sam Konstas 88 (145), Blake Nikitaras 38 (99)
Brody Crouch 3-66 (22), Lance Morris 2-69 (23), Cameron Gannon 2-99 (32)

New South Wales led by 252 runs

3rd Innings: Western Australia 10-184 (101.5)
Cameron Bancroft 48 (148), Hilton Cartwright 44 (95), Josh Inglis 25 (47)
Jack Edwards 5-41 (25.5), Jackson Bird 3-24 (21), Tanveer Sangha 2-67 (33)

New South Wales won by an innings and 68 runs