Tasmania hit back in the final session but Peter Handscomb’s good form continued
Victoria 3 for 70 (Handscomb 52*) trail Tasmania 188 (Doran 52, Boland 4-44) by 118 runs
Tasmania kept themselves in the contest on the opening at the MCG after a disappointing batting display saw them dismissed for 188. Scott Boland continued his excellent season with a four-wicket haul while Nic Maddinson made an impressive in the field with two direct-hit run-outs in the space of two overs.
Jackson Bird struck twice in the final session, while Beau Webster had Marcus Harris caught behind, but captain Peter Handscomb continued his impressive form with an unbeaten half-century – just the second batsman to pass fifty in the day alongside Jake Doran.
Tasmania were forced into a late change when Tim Paine woke up feeling ill and was ruled out under Covid-19 protocols. It meant a hasty journey from Hobart for Alex Doolan as the only spare player the visitors had the squad was seamer Gabe Bell. By the time Doolan arrived at the MCG, Tasmania were two down but he was able to slot in at No. 6 where he made 12 before shouldering arms at Mitch Perry.
Alongside Boland, who started and ended Victoria’s wicket-taking, James Pattinson bowled with good pace and the delivery to remove Caleb Jewell, which climbed to take the edge was especially eye-catching.
After the tea interval, Maddinson pulled off two moments of brilliance in the field: firstly he hit direct from mid-on to find Doran short with an underarm flick and then hit from the in-field to remove Jarrod Freeman.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo