New South Wales 4 for 26 (Patterson 13*, Bird 3-13) trail Tasmania 242 (Webster 73, McDermott 59, Conway 5-45) by 216 runs
Scorecard
File photo – Jackson Bird cut through New South Wales’ top order after Tasmania were bowled out for 242 © Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images
Tasmania maintained their late season surge by reducing New South Wales to 4 for 26 in reply to 242 after day one of the Sheffield Shield match at Bellerive Oval.
Having beaten Victoria by an innings last round, Tasmania were again able to prosper with the ball after Beau Webster and Ben McDermott had allowed the hosts to scramble to a reasonable total on a lively surface, after New South Wales had elected to bowl first.
Ben Dunk’s recent run of strong form did not continue as he was bowled by Doug Bollinger for a duck in the first over of the match, but Webster and McDermott were able to cobble together valuable runs with useful lower order help from Evan Gulbis.
Left with 14 overs to bowl to the visitors before the close, Tasmania were led in their efforts by Jackson Bird, fresh from his effective displays for Australia in the New Zealand Test series. He pinned Daniel Hughes LBW with the fifth ball of the innings, before Hamish Kingston found a way past Ed Cowan.
The exit of Cowan brought the nightwatchman Nathan Lyon to the crease, and after he edged Bird behind, Nic Maddinson also fell LBW to leave New South Wales teetering at stumps. Ben Rohrer and Kurtis Patterson will hope for better on day two.
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo