Tasmania ends Victoria's one-day campaign

Victoria’s hopes of an ING Cup Final berth are dashed, suffering a 114-run loss at the hands of a buoyant Tasmania at the Junction Oval.

Tigers quick Adam Griffith took home Man of the Match honours for his haul of 4/36, taking his team to a straightforward victory.

Griffith shattered the Bushrangers top order, snaring three of the first four wickets – including the dangerous opening pair of Jonathon Moss and Michael Klinger – leaving the Vics at the perilous position of 2/0. In a career best performance, Griffith proved a handful for all Victorians all afternoon, revelling in the warm Melbourne conditions.

Only two Victorian batsmen reached the 20 run mark, with none passing 21. The home state required a bonus point in order to give itself an outside chance of scraping into the final, but were unable to trouble their rivals from Bass Strait, capitulating to be all out for 128 – losing too many wickets at regular intervals.

Despite the finals placing at stake, the Bushrangers opted to leave Australian trio Shane Warne, Mick Lewis and Brad Hodge out of the team. The decision to leave the big guns out had a strong impact on the team, with the Bushrangers lacking experienced rudders to help steer the flagging ship.

Little-known Tasmanian super-sub Brett Geeves enjoyed his time in the limelight, securing the wickets of Dave Hussey and Grant Lindsay, as well as running out Liam Buchanan in outstanding fashion. Not satisfied yet, Geeves went on to hold onto a screamer to dismiss opposing skipper Cameron White, just as it appeared the part-time Australian spinner was set to cut loose.

The commitment of the Tigers in the field was evident, showing spark in the warm late summer sunshine, helping quell the Victorian batsmen – not allowing them any quick singles which proved vital in choking them into rash shots.

Earlier in the day, the Tigers innings was patched together by Travis Paine’s 47, with George Bailey (42), Michael Bevan (36) and captain Michael Di Venuto’s (37) knocks playing the supporting roles.

The emerging Bailey displayed his potential, crunching a massive six which landed on the neighbouring tennis courts. Bailey and Bevan staged a 61 run stand to steady the ship, with the former arriving at the crease with the score at 3/112.

For the home side, Dirk Nannes snared his inaugural wicket in state cricket, that of Rhett Lockyear, while the all-rounder Moss held a tight line and length in snaring 2/38 off his eight over spell. White did his Australian aspirations no favors, sprayed for 27 runs off only four overs.

Former Tasmanian turned Victorian paceman Gerard Denton experienced some early joy, holding the gifted Travis Birt caught and bowled.

The Bushrangers went down swinging, out just a tick over the halfway mark. Although the lower order had held their own, it was not enough for the Vics to send even the smallest flutters through Tasmanian hearts.

Xavier Doherty wrapped up proceedings, with Lockyear holding Shane Harwood in the deep after the tail ender had one swing too many at the orthodox spinner.

With the ING season done and dusted for the Bushrangers, they now turn their attention to the four day format, where they are due to face off with the Western Australians next month at the Junction Oval, no doubt looking to sew up a spot in the Pura Cup Final.

Tasmania – without a hope in either form of the game – also looks towards the remaining Pura Cup fixtures, hoping to salvage nothing but pride in the final two encounters with New South Wales and Queensland next month, both opponents right in the mix for a place in the final.

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!